32 Marine Shells of the Western Coast of Florida 



Genus SOLEMYA Lamarck, 1818 



Subgenus PETKASJIA Dall, 1908 



Solemja oooidentalis'i Reeve PI. 42, fig. 303 



Alt., 9; length, 25 mm. Equivalve, inequilateral, thin and fra- 

 gile; umbos suppressed; dorsal margin horizontal; epidermis light 

 chestnut-brown with radiating lighter lines. The epidermis extends 

 beyond the shell margins in deep, rounded scallops with the angles 

 between the scallops at terminations of the light radiating lines; 

 this striking feature of the species gives it the common name "awning 

 shell". 



Sandy stations. Shallow water. 



Family NUCULLDAE 



The family Nuculidae is represented in all seas. On the Atlan- 

 tic Coast it is taken from Labrador to Florida and the West Indies, 

 and its range in depth is also great. The mollusks have some unusual 

 anatomical features and are elegant little shells. 



Genus JfUCULA Lamarck, 1799 

 Nucula proxima^- Say PL 1, figs. 4, a, b 



Alt., 5; length, 6.5 mm. Equivalve; obliquely inequilateral with 

 the greatest length parallel with posterior border; umbos small and 

 approximate, directed backward; surface smooth with thin, pale 

 greenish-brown epidermis; sculpture of indistinct growth lines and 

 delicate radiating striae; margins rounded; ventral margin finely 

 crenate within. Hinge is angular with a fossette for internal liga- 

 ment at angle; 12 comblike teeth anterior to umbos and 18 posterior. 

 Interior pearly; anterior and posterior scars; simple pallial line. 



Dredged in sandy mud bottoms in from one to six fathoms. Both 

 Nucula and Nuctdana are eaten by bottom-feeding fish. 



Family NUCUI.AJflDAE 



This family is close to the Nuculidae and was formerly in- 

 cluded in the same group. Nuculanidae have a wide range in distri- 

 bution, depth, and temperature but are most numerous in cold seas. 



^^ Lat., solea, sole, bottom; Gr., mys, muscle; Lat., occiJcntalis, pertaining 



to the west. 

 *- Lat., nucula, little nut; proximus, nearest. 



