Triodopsis species "Florida Scrub Threetooth" Melrose Area

Triodopsis species "Florida Scrub Threetooth" Melrose Area

The distances given below are presumed to be from the center of the intersection of State Road 21 and State Road 26 in downtown Melrose.

On 10/9/1971 W. H. Campbell discovered the Triodopsis species "2.6 miles north and 0.25 miles west of Melrose in Live Oak hammock/Turkey Oak" (FLMNH 132827). After studying satellite imagery, it appeared that Mr. Campbell's find was along State Road 21 not far from the eastern shore of Santa Fe Lake. This location was subsequently visited by this reporter and the described flora was indeed present. However, no Triodopsis could be found. This may be due to the fact that this area had been partially cleared and houses constructed.

On 12/5/1984 Dr. Harry Lee discovered Triodopsis species under debris/leaf litter near the north shore of Lake Lily (FLMNH 113533). On 7/10/2013 this reporter visited the area where Harry had found his specimens some 29 years earlier. Although unable to access the exact location where the specimens were found in 1984 due to fencing of private property, two Triodopsis shells were found in a wooded area several hundred yards away to include a specimen that was recently deceased with the animal present. GPS: 29.44427N 082.01194W - elevation 119 feet (WGS-84 Datum).

On 5/1/1988 Dr. S. P. Christman found Triodopsis species in Turkey Oak habitat "circa. 1 mile east of Melrose" (FLMNH 127677). A study of satellite imagery suggests that Dr. Christmans find was along State Road 26 and this area was visited on three occasions by this reporter and the described habitat was in fact present. However, no Triodopsis could be found. This may be due to the fact that the fencing of private property made access to the area of interest difficult. Dr. Christman was contacted for additional amplifying information but could provide no further details from memory.

On 5/1/1987 C. K. Dodd discovered Triodopsis species in the Ordway Preserve at the "(Lake) Rowan southside sand hill" (FLMNH 113537). The preserve is a fenced limited access area and has not yet been recently surveyed. Satellite imagery suggests that the area south of Lake Rowan is in fact the type of habitat that Triodopsis species prefers. On 9/9/2013 this reporter visited the area (Huckleberry Road) outside the preserve fence just southeast of Lake Rowan and found a single live juvenile Triodopsis under a small decomposing log. No additional specimens could be located despite a thorough search.

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