Image of Hyotissa mcgintyi (Harry 1985)

Description:

Several specimens of the Atlantic Foam Oyster, Hyotissa mcgintyi (Harry, 1985) were found by Tony Amos during his beach surveys near Port Aransas, Texas. They were found attached to the red life ring (photo) that washed ashore on a beach. (the photos of the life ring and the two valves against a light-colored background were taken by Tony). Tony sent me the specimens for identification, and I took photographs of them on 2013-07-12. The specimens were brightly colored and showed the typical spongy structure near the inside margin of the shell as seen in the close-up photos. Read more about this species in Tunnell et al. (2010) Encyclopedia of Texas Seashells, p. 323.