Dan,

Protothaca grata (Say, 1831) is a species not found in California, only further
south in Baja California (which is actually in Mexico, for those with little
experience with Eastern Pacific localities).  Keen (1971) describes it's range as
"Cape Colnett, Baja California, through the Gulf of California and south to Chile,
on mud flats and offshore in depths to 390 m."  My guess is that it is a fairly
common species on mud flats.

Hope this helps,

Phil Liff-Grieff
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Dan Yoshimoto wrote:

> To all bivalvers,
>         Today I received a request from a Florida collector for some
> specimens of Protothaca grata from California.  As this is my area for
> collecting, I must admit that I've never heard of this species.  Is it an
> old synonym or is it a valid species?  The man said that it was a common
> species and would like to trade shell from Florida.  What's up with  that
> name?
> Dan
>
> Dan & Hiromi Yoshimoto
> 1164 Vista Dr.
> Eureka, California
> 95503-6018
> U.S.A.
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
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