Yep, it seems to me I read that the hinge could not be separated without
breakage. But I thought I was being careful. The hinge was probably weaker
than appearances due to the Lithophaga within or nearby.

Would anyone care to try an identification by attached image?

David

> From: Paul Monfils <[log in to unmask]>
> Organization: @Home Network
> Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 18:50:19 -0400
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: spineless Spondylus
>
> (Whoops! I broke the teeth off in trying to open the valves).
>
> Hi David,
>
> I think the above statement provides the answer to the question.  Only a
> Spondylus hinge would have such interlocking teeth, preventing the shell
> valves from being separated, except by breaking the hinge.  If it were
> not for that fact, there are a couple of other species I might suggest,
> such as Hyotissa hyotis.  But a hinge like that says SPONDYLUS!  A few
> Spondylus species are virtually spineless, and even other species may
> become spineless through erosion.  The specimen you described sounds
> pretty eroded.
>
> Regards,
> Paul M.