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Melongena corona (Gmelin, 1791) Duvall County, Florida |
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| This crabbed specimen was collected by Jeff Ward (Macclenny, Florida) in shallow water along the shoreline at Big Talbot Island State Park (Nassau Sound) during a minus tide on May 24, 2006. This represents the first known instance of the species being found in Duval County. The nearest known living population of Melongena corona is in southern St. Johns County some 60 miles south. Digital image by Bill Frank. |
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| This crabbed specimen (measuring 75 mm.) was collected by Bill Frank in shallow water at the base of boulders of the south St. Johns River jetty at Mayport Naval Station beach on April 3, 2007 during a low tide following several days of rough seas (northeaster). This represents only the second known instance of the species being found in Duval County. The nearest known living population of Melongena corona is in southern St. Johns County some 55 miles south. However, a number of empty shells have been found near Vilano Beach (St. Augustine Inlet - St. Johns County) - a location about 30 miles south of Mayport. Digital image by Bill Frank. |
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| This empty shell (measuring 61 mm.) was collected by Brian Marshall in shallow water along the shoreline at Big Talbot Island State Park (Nassau Sound) during a low tide during June, 2007. This represents only the third known instance of the species being found in Duval County. The nearest known living population of Melongena corona is in southern St. Johns County some 60 miles south. However, a number of empty shells have been found near Vilano Beach (St. Augustine Inlet - St. Johns County) - a location about 30 miles south of Mayport. Digital images by Bill Frank |
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| Since the initial discovery of a crabbed Melongena corona at Big Talbot Island State Park (Nassau Sound) in Duval County on May 24, 2006, at least six additional empty shells have been found including the 90 mm. specimen illustrated above that was collected on August 3, 2008. Additionally, a further three shells have been found in Nassau Sound several hundred yards north in Nassau County. The continuing finds of empty shells at Nassau Sound, as well as St. Augustine Inlet (Tolomato River) some 30 miles south, suggest that both locations have a small population of the species. However, thus far no living Melongena corona have been found north of southern St. Johns County - some 60 miles south of Nassau Sound. Digital image by Jeff Ward. |
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