Atrina rigida (John Lightfoot, 1786) Stiff Penshell And Symbiont

     This Stiff Penshell was collected from muddy sand during a minus tide at Vilano Beach, St. Johns County, Florida on 4/16/2007. Upon further investigation a single Pinnotheres maculatus Say, 1818 [Mussel Crab], apparently a symbiont, was found to be in residence. The penshell measures 156 mm. and the crab measures about 12 mm.

Atrina rigida (John Lightfoot, 1786) Stiff Penshell And Symbiont

Pinnotheres maculatus Say, 1818 Mussel Crab Symbiont

Pinnotheres maculatus Say, 1818 Mussel Crab Symbiont

Pinnotheres maculatus Say, 1818 Mussel Crab Symbiont