1481 



Porter, Hugh J. 1974. 



The North Carolina marine and estuarine Mollusca, an atlas of occurrence. 

 Univ. N.C., Inst. Mar. Sci., vi + 351 p. 



Class Pelecypoda - Bivalvia, Order Veneroida, Family Veneridae, Meroenaria 

 oampechiensis, M. a. suboampechiensis, Meroenaria meroenavia, and M. m. 

 notata, together with synonyms are listed on p. 80 and 81. - J.L.M. 



1482 



Porter, H. J., and A. F. Chestnut. 1962. 



The offshore clam fishery of North Carolina. Proc. Natl. Shellf. Assn. 

 51: 67-73. 



Meroenavia oampechiensis generally has a larger, thicker, and rougher shell 

 than M. mercenaria without a smooth central area on the outside. Its lunule 

 is usually the same length and width. The shell interior is white without 

 the purple markings found on M. meroenaria. The teeth on the inner margin 

 are finer, the posterior angle of the pallial sinus is more acute, and the 

 meat generally darker than M. meroenaria. The range of M. oampechiensis is 

 from Chesapeake Bay to Cuba and Mexico. Little mixing between the northern 

 and southern species was observed in North Carolina. A commercial offshore 

 dredge fishery has developed in North Carolina in 1960, but it can only 

 operate in colder weather due to the large number of clams that spoil before 

 processing. Active fishing by 12 boats from January to March 1960 yielded a 

 total catch of about 1.2 million lbs, or 4,831 lbs/boat/day. The principal 

 clam bed fishery lies between Cape Lookout and Beaufort Inlet in 30 to 4 

 feet of water. Dredging records show a density of one clam/40 to 60 square 

 feet. Clams were mostly 3.5 to 4 inches long. .- J.L.M. 



1483 



Porter, Hugh J., and Jim Tyler. 1971. 



Sea shells common to North Carolina. N.C. Dept. Nat. Econ. Resources, Div. 

 Marine Fish., Inf. Ser. , 2nd printing 1972, 3rd 1974, 4th 1976;. reprinted by 

 Univ. N.C. Sea Grant Coll. Progr. and N.C. Dept. Admin. Off. Mar. Affairs, 

 UNC-SG-72-09, 36 p. 



Meroenaria meroenaria: concentric sculpture of fine ridges, shell not a flat 

 disk. Length 4 1/2 in; range Canada-Texas; lower edge of shell toothed, 

 exterior central area smooth, interior frequently with some purple; heavy 

 shell. Common, beaches and sounds and mouths of estuaries near ocean. Basis 

 of large commercial fishery in N.C. waters; large marine farming potential. 

 M. oampechiensis : length 4 3/4 in; range Virginia to Texas; closely related to 

 M. meroenaria. Exterior central area of shell not smooth but sharply ridged; 

 interior all white. Common, offshore beaches; living 40 to 50 ft depth offshore 

 near inlets; bed between Cape Lookout and Beaufort Inlet once was fished 

 commercially. Appears to hybridize with M. meroenaria in N.C. inlets; hybrids 

 may reach 6 in long. Included is Vitar morrhuana, morrhua venus , 1 1/2 in 

 long, which looks like a small quahog and is sometimes confused with hard clam. 

 Lower edge of shell is not toothed (crenulate) ; shell thin and fat; dull gray; 

 common on offshore beaches in N.C; range Canada to N.C. - J.L.M. 



1484 



Pottinger, S. R., and W. H. Baldwin. 1946. 



The content of certain amino acids in seafoods. Coram, Fish. Rev. 8(8): 5-9. 



Could not locate. Search terminated. - J.L.M. 



414 



