Bob,
The largest dead shell is Strophitus undulatus, the rest are the Corbicula
except for the very smallest single valve which looks like a Spaherid
(Fingernail) clam.  I don't speak Sphaerid so don't know the actual species.
Kingfishers are neat as they perch very regally on signposts or other higher
poles/trees to proudly proclaim their presence.

Alan Gettleman
Merritt Island, FL
Where it just continues to rain. . .

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Dayle" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 9:58 PM
Subject: Re: Freshwater clam question...


> Thanks, again, for the help.
>
> Below is my latest (and, probably, last) venture into the 'World of
Clams.' I
> went back to the stream this evening to pick up a live specimen for a
snapshot,
> to cinch the identification. It took about twenty minutes to get one, but
I
> found other mollusc-related things and a few neat stones, as well.
>
> The largest shell is empty, is still joined at the hinge and is 3.75
inches
> across.  (http://cowrys.org/~makuabob/jpgs/big_clam.jpg)
>
> The live clam is about 0.6 inch across. I somehow managed to capture
several
> aspects of the soft parts. (http://cowrys.org/~makuabob/jpgs/clam.jpg)
>
> The single valves and the snail shell can be sized by the valve which has
its
> inside visible; it too is 0.6 inch across.
> (http://cowrys.org/~makuabob/jpgs/stuffs.jpg)
>
> I doubt that there are any surprises coming out of this creek, except,
perhaps,
> that Belted Kingfisher I saw last year!
>
> Aloha,
>
> Bob Dayle
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> > Sounds too big for a sphaeriid (fingernail clam).  If the "growth
> > rings" were regular concentric sculpture, then you had Corbicula.
> > Despite most of the literature, the main species of Corbicula invading
> > the U.S. is probably C. leana.  A second species is known only from
> > the southwest (also invading Europe and South America), which may be
> > true fluminea (of which manilensis is a synonym).
> >
> > Unionids may show bands of color or weak irregular growth lines, but
> > no regular concentric sculpture in our species.
> >
> > As sculpture rather than growth rings, they form fairly quickly and
> > without direct connection to environmental factors.  Tiny juveniles
> > already have several concentric ribs.
> >
> > Corbicula range from oval (not very elongate) to nearly triangular in
> > some large old individuals in lakes.  Most unionids are more
> > elongate.
> >
> > --
> > Dr. David Campbell
> > 425 Scientific Collections Building
> > Department of Biological Sciences
> > Biodiversity and Systematics
> > University of Alabama, Box 870345
> > Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0345  USA
> >
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