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Sunset Beach Species List

During the past 23 months I found 1952 species of mollusks on the eastern point of Sunset Beach. I found the octopi, sea hares and Scotch Bonnets earlier. On a separate webpage, How to Find Shells, you can learn how I found the shells. Dr. Harry Lee, a nationally known malacologist, deserves much credit for this work. Thanks to him, we know the identity of many of the shells of Sunset Beach, NC. Because I only walk on the far east end of Sunset Beach, there could be other species further west and on Bird Island. If you can document the presence of any, please contact me. Thank you.

Scientific Names

Nucula proxima Say, 1822 Atlantic Nutclam
Nuculana acuta (Conrad, 1831) Pointed Nutclam
Brachidontes exustus (Linnaeus, 1758) Scorched Mussel
Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn, 1817) Ribbed-mussel
Lioberus castanea (Say, 1822) Chestnut Mussel
Modiolus squamosus Beauperthuy, 1967 Southern Horsemussel
Musculus lateralis (Say, 1822) Lateral Mussel
Mytella charruana (d'Orbigny, 1846) Charrua Mussel
Anadara brasiliana (Lamarck, 1819) Incongruous Ark
Anadara floridana (Conrad, 1869) Cut-ribbed Ark
Anadara transversa (Say, 1822) Transverse Ark
Arca imbricata Bruguière, 1789 Mossy Ark
Lunarca ovalis (Bruguière, 1789) Blood Ark
Arcopsis adamsi (Dall, 1886) Cancellate Ark
Noetia limuli
Noetia ponderosa (Say, 1822) Ponderous Ark
Glycymeris americana (DeFrance, 1826) Giant Bittersweet
Pteria colymbus (Röding, 1798) Atlantic Wing-oyster
Pinctada imbricata Röding, 1798 Atlantic Pearl-oyster
Atrina rigida (John Lightfoot, 1786) Stiff Penshell
Atrina serrata (G. B. Sowerby I, 1825) Sawtooth Penshell
Limaria pellucida (C. B. Adams, 1846) Antillean Fileclam
Argopecten gibbus (Limnaeus, 1758) Atlantic Calico Scallop
Anomia simplex d'Orbigny, 1842 Common Jingle
Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791) Eastern Oyster
Ostreola equestris (Say, 1834) Crested Oyster
Plicatula gibbosa Lamarck, 1801 Atlantic Kittenpaw
28. Callucina keenae (Chavan in Moore, 1971)
Divalinga quadrisulcata (d'Orbigny, 1842) Cross-hatched Lucine
Parvilucina crenella (Dall, 1901) Many-line Lucine
Diplodonta notata Dall and Simpson, 1901 Marked Diplodon
Diplodonta (Phlyctiderma) semiaspera Phillippi, 1836 Pimpled Diplodon
Chama congregata Conrad, 1833 Corrugate Jewelbox
Chama macerophylla (Gmelin, 1791) Leafy Jewelbox
Aligena elevata (Stimpson, 1851) Eastern Aligena
Lepton lepidum (Say, 1826) Graceful Lepton
Mysella casta (A. E. Verrill and Bush, 1898) Pure Mysella
Mysella species B of Lee (2009)
Mysella species C of Lee (2009)
Pythinella cuneata (A. E. Verrill and Bush, 1898) Cuneate Montacutid
Pleuromeris tridentata (Say, 1826) Threetooth Carditid
Crassinella dupliniana (Dall, 1903) Pointed Crassinella
Crassinella lunulata (Conrad, 1834) Lunate Crassinella
Dinocardium robustum (Lightfoot, 1786) Atlantic Giant Cockle
Laevicardium serratum (Linnaeus, 1758) Eggcockle
Trachycardium egmontianum (Shuttleworth, 1856) Florida Pricklycockle
Trachycardium muricatum (Linnaeus, 1758) Yellow Pricklycockle
Anatina anatina (Spengler, 1802) Smooth Duckclam
Mulinia lateralis (Say, 1822) Dwarf Surfclam
Raeta plicatella (Lamarck, 1818) Channeled Duckclam
Spisula raveneli (Conrad, 1831) Southern Surfclam
Solen viridis Say, 1822 Green Jackknife
Ensis megistus Pilsbry and McGinty, 1943 Minor Jackknife
Angulus sybariticus (Dall, 1881) Sybaritic Tellin
Angulus texanus (Dall, 1900) Texas Tellin
Angulus versicolor (DeKay, 1843) Many-colored Tellin
Eurytellina alternata (Say, 1822) Alternate Tellin
Macoma tenta (Say, 1838) Elongate Macoma
Merisca aequistriata (Say, 1824) Striate Tellin
Scissula consobrina (d'Orbigny, 1853) Consobrine Tellin
Scissula iris (Say, 1822) Rainbow Tellin
Strigilla surinamensis Boss, 1972 Surinam Strigilla
Donax parvulus Philippi, 1849 Little Coquina
Donax variabilis Say, 1822 Variable Coquina
Abra aequalis (Say, 1822) Atlantic Abra
Abra lioica (Dall, 1881) Smooth Abra
Cumingia tellinoides (Conrad, 1831) Tellin Semele
Ervilia concentrica (Holmes, 1860) Concentric Ervilia
Semele proficua (Pulteney, 1799) Atlantic Semele
Tagelus plebeius (Lightfoot, 1786) Stout Tagelus
Polymesoda caroliniana (Bosc, 1801) Carolina Marshclam
Chione elevata (Say, 1822) Cross-barred Venus
Dosinia discus (Reeve, 1850) Disk Dosinia
Dosinia elegans (Conrad, 1844) Elegant Dosinia
Lirophora latilirata (Conrad, 1841) Imperial Venus
Macrocallista nimbosa (Lightfoot, 1786) Sunray Venus
Mercenaria campechiensis (Gmelin, 1791) Southern Quahog
Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Northern Quahog
Puberella intapurpurea (Conrad, 1849) Lady-in-waiting Venus
Timoclea grus (Holmes, 1858) Gray Pygmy-venus
Petricolaria pholadiformis (Lamarck, 1818) False Angelwing
Paramya subovata (Conrad, 1845) Subovate Softshell
Sphenia dubia (H. C. Lea, 1843) Dubious Sphenia
Sphenia fragilis
Caryocorbula barrattiana C. B. Adams, 1852 Truncate Corbula
Caryocorbula contracta Say, 1822 Contracted Corbula
Corbula dietziana C. B. Adams, 1852 Rosy Corbula
Rocellaria stimpsoni (Tryon, 1861) Carolina Gastrochaenid
Barnea truncata (Say, 1822) Atlantic Mud-piddock
Cyrtopleura costata (Linnaeus, 1758) Angelwing
Martesia cuneiformis (Say, 1822) Wedge Piddock
Nototeredo knoxi Bartsch, 1917 Foliaceous Shipworm
Entodesma brasiliense (Gould, 1850) Pearly Entodesma
Lyonsia hyalina hyalina Conrad, 1831 Glassy Lyonsia
Diodora cayenensis (Lamarck, 1822) Cayenne Keyhole Limpet
Turbo castanea Gmelin, 1791 Chestnut Turban (190)
Calliostoma euglyptum (A. Adams, 1855) Sculptured Topsnail
Skenea sp. aff smithfieldensis (Olsson, 1916)
Litiopa melanostoma Rang, 1829 Sargassum Snail

Cerithium muscarum Say, 1832 Fly-specked Cerith
Cerithium atratum (Born, 1778) Dark Cerith
Vermicularia knorrii (Deshayes, 1843) Florida Wormsnail
Vermicularia spirata (Philippi, 1836) West Indian Wormsnail
Echinolittorina interrupta (Philippi, 1856) Interrupted Periwinkle
Littoraria irrorata (Say, 1822) Marsh Periwinkle
Amnicola species
Littoridinops tenuipes (Couper, 1844) Henscomb Hydrobe
Assiminea succinea (L. Pfeiffer, 1840) Atlantic Assiminea
Circulus texanus (D. Moore, 1965) Texas Vitrinella
Cyclostremiscus pentagonalis (Gabb, 1873) Trilix Vitrinella
Episcynia inornata (d’Orbigny, 1842) Fringed Vitrinella
Teinostoma obtectum Pilsbry and McGinty, 1945 Glossy Vitrinella
Vitrinella helicoidea C. B. Adams, 1850 Helix Vitrinella
Caecum antillarum Carpenter, 1857 Antillean Caecum
Meioceras nitidum (Stimpson, 1851) Little Horn Caecum
Bostrycapulus aculeatus (Gmelin, 1791) Spiny Slippersnail
Calyptraea centralis (Conrad, 1841) Circular Chinese-hat
Crepidula convexa Say, 1822 Convex Slippersnail
Crepidula fornicata (Linnaeus, 1758) Slipper Limpet
Crepidula plana Say, 1822 Eastern White Slippersnail
Neverita duplicata (Say, 1822) Shark Eye
Sigatica carolinensis (Dall, 1889) Carolina Moonsnail
Sigatica semisulcata (Gray, 1839) Semisulcate Moonsnail
Sinum perspectivum (Say, 1831) White Baby Ear
Tectonatica pusilla (Say, 1822) Miniature Moonsnail
Semicassis granulata granulata (Born, 1778) Scotch Bonnet
Seila adamsii (H. C. Lea, 1845) Adams’ Miniature Cerith
Melanella hypsela (A. E. Verrill and Bush, 1900) Sharp Eulima
Epitonium angulatum (Say, 1831) Angulate Wentletrap
Epitonium apiculatum (Dall, 1889) Semismooth Wentletrap
Epitonium cf. albidum (d’Orbigny, 1842) cf. Bladed Wentletrap
Epitonium foliaceicosta (d'Orbigny, 1842) Wrinkled-rib Wentletrap
Epitonium humphreysii (Kiener, 1838) Humphrey’s Wentletrap
Epitonium multistriatum (Say, 1826) Many-ribbed Wentletrap
Epitonium novangliae (Couthouy, 1838) New England Wentletrap
Epitonium occidentale (Nyst, 1871) Fine-ribbed Wentletrap
Epitonium rupicola (Kurtz, 1860) Brown-band Wentletrap
Eupleura caudata (Say, 1822) Thick-lip Drill
Hexaplex fulvescens (G. B. Sowerby II, 1834) Giant Eastern Murex
Stramonita haemastoma floridana (Conrad, 1837) Florida Rocksnail
Urosalpinx cinerea (Say, 1822) Atlantic Oyster Drill
Gemophos tinctus (Conrad, 1846) Tinted Cantharus
Hesperisternia multangula (Philippi, 1848) Ribbed Cantharus
Busycon carica  (Gmelin, 1791) Knobbed Whelk
Busycon sinistrum Hollister, 1958 Lightning Whelk
Busycotypus canaliculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Channeled Whelk
Busycotypus spiratus (Lamarck, 1818) Pear Whelk
Ilyanassa obsoleta (Say, 1822) Eastern Mudsnail
Ilyanassa trivittata (Say, 1822) Three-line Mudsnail
Nassarius acutus (Say, 1822) Sharp Nassa
Nassarius albus (Say, 1826) White Nassa
Nassarius vibex (Say, 1822) Bruised Nassa
Fasciolaria hunteria (G. Perry, 1811) Eastern Banded Tulip
Fasciolaria tulipa (Linnaeus, 1758) True Tulip
Triplofusus giganteus (Kiener, 1840) Horse Conch
Astyris lunata (Say, 1826) Lunar Dovesnail
Columbella mercatoria (Linnaeus, 1758) West Indian Dovesnail
Costoanachis avara (Say, 1822) Greedy Dovesnail
Costoanachis sertulariarum (d'Orbigny, 1841) Florida Dovesnail
Costoanachis translirata (Ravenel, 1861) Well-ribbed Dovesnail
Parvanachis obesa (C. B. Adams, 1845) Fat Dovesnail
Suturoglypta iontha (Ravenel, 1861) Lineate Dovesnail
Oliva sayana Ravenel, 1834 Lettered Olive
Olivella mutica (Say, 1822) Variable Dwarf Olive
Olivella cf. prefloralia Olsson and Harbison, 1953 cf. Rice Olive
Prunum apicinum (Menke, 1828) Common Atlantic Marginella
Prunum roscidum (Redfield, 1860) Seaboard Marginella
Cancellaria reticulata (Linné, 1767) Common Nutmeg
Terebra concava (Say, 1826) Concave Auger
Terebra dislocata (Say, 1822) Eastern Auger
Cerodrillia bealiana Schwengel and McGinty, 1942 Beal’s Drillia
Cryoturris dorvilliae (Reeve, 1845) Dorvill’s Mangelia
Kurtziella atrostyla (Tryon, 1884) Brown-tip Mangelia
Nannodiella vespuciana (d’Orbigny, 1847) Vespucci’s Dwarf-turris
Pyrgocythara hemphilli Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 Hemphill's Mangelia
Rubellatoma rubella Bartsch and Rehder, 1939 Red-brown Mangelia
Splendrillia moseri (Dall, 1889) Moser's Drillia
Boonea impressa  (Say, 1822) Impressed Odostome
Chrysallida nioba (Dall and Bartsch, 1911) Niobe Odostome
Cyclostremella humilis Bush, 1897 False Cyclostreme
Eulimastoma canaliculatum (C. B. Adams, 1850) Channeled Odostome
Eulimastoma weberi (Morrison, 1965) Weber’s Odostome
Fargoa bartschi (Winkley, 1909) Bartsch's Odostome.
Fargoa buijsei (de Jong and Coomans, 1988) Buijse's Odostome
Odostomia acutidens Dall, 1884 Sharp-tooth Odostome
Turbonilla (Pyrgiscus) buteonis Bartsch, 1909 Hawk Turbonille
Turbonilla (Pyrgiscus) caroliniana Holmes, 1859 Incised Turbonille
Turbonilla (Pyrgiscus) wrightsvillensis E. Powell, 1981 Carolina Turbonille
Turbonilla (Pyrgiscus) viridaria Dall, 1884 Conrad's Turbonille
Acteon candens  Rehder, 1939 Rehder’s Baby-bubble
Rictaxis punctostriatus (C. B. Adams, 1840) Pitted Baby-bubble
Acteocina bidentata (d’Orbigny, 1841) Two-tooth Barrel-bubble
Acteocina canaliculata (Say, 1826) Channeled Barrel-bubble
Aplysia brasiliana Rang, 1828 Mottled Seahare
Diacavolinia deblainvillei van der Spoel, Bleeker, and Kobayasi, 1993 Longsnout Cavoline
Cratena pilata (Gould, 1870) Northern Aeolis
Melampus bidentatus Say, 1822 Eastern Melampus
Octopus vulgaris Lamarck, 1798 Common Octopus

 

Adams’ Miniature Cerith
Alternate Tellin
Amnicola species
Angelwing
Angulate Wentletrap
Antillean Caecum
Antillean Fileclam
Atlantic Abra
Atlantic Assiminea
Atlantic Calico Scallop
Atlantic Giant Cockle
Atlantic Kittenpaw
Atlantic Mud-piddock
Atlantic Nutclam
Atlantic Oyster Drill
Atlantic Pearl-oyster
Atlantic Semele
Atlantic Wing-oyster
Bartsch's Odostome.
Beal’s Drillia
Bladed Wentletrap
Blood Ark
Brown-band Wentletrap
Brown-tip Mangelia
Bruised Nassa
Buijse's Odostome
Cancellate Ark
Carolina Gastrochaenid
Carolina Marshclam
Carolina Moonsnail
Carolina Turbonille
Cayenne Keyhole Limpet
Channeled Barrel-bubble
Channeled Duckclam
Channeled Odostome
Channeled Whelk
Charrua Mussel
Chestnut Mussel
Chestnut Turban
Circular Chinese-hat
Common Atlantic Marginella
Common Jingle
Common Nutmeg
Common Octopus
Concave Auger
Concentric Ervilia
Conrad's Turbonille
Consobrine Tellin
Contracted Corbula
Convex Slippersnail
Corrugate Jewelbox
Crested Oyster
Cross-barred Venus
Cross-hatched Lucine
Cuneate Montacutid
Cut-ribbed Ark
Dark Cerith
Disk Dosinia
Dorvill’s Mangelia
Dosinia Lucine
Dubious Sphenia
Dwarf Surfclam
Eastern Aligena
Eastern Auger
Eastern Banded Tulip
Eastern Melampus
Eastern Mudsnail
Eastern Oyster
Eastern White Slippersnail
Eggcockle
Elegant Dosinia
Elongate Macoma
False Angelwing
False Cyclostreme
Fat Dovesnail
Fine-ribbed Wentletrap
Florida Dovesnail
Florida Pricklycockle
Florida Rocksnail
Florida Wormsnail
Fly-specked Cerith
Foliaceous Shipworm
Fringed Vitrinella
Giant Bittersweet
Giant Eastern Murex
Glassy Lyonsia
Glossy Vitrinella
Graceful Lepton
Gray Pygmy-venus
Greedy Dovesnail
Green Jackknife
Hawk Turbonille
Helix Vitrinella
Hemphill's Mangelia
Henscomb Hydrobe
Horse Conch
Humphrey’s Wentletrap
Imperial Venus
Impressed Odostome
Incised Turbonille
Incongruous Ark
Interrupted Periwinkle
Knobbed Whelk
Lady-in-waiting Venus
Lateral Mussel
Leafy Jewelbox
Lettered Olive
Lightning Whelk
Lineate Dovesnail
Little Coquina
Little Horn Caecum
Longsnout Cavoline
Lunar Dovesnail
Lunate Crassinella
Many-colored Tellin
Many-line Lucine
Many-ribbed Wentletrap
Marked Diplodon
Marsh Periwinkle
Miniature Moonsnail
Minor Jackknife
Moser's Drillia
Mossy Ark
Mottled Seahare
Mysella species B of Lee (2009)
Mysella species C of Lee (2009)
New England Wentletrap
Niobe Odostome
Noetia limuli
Northern Aeolis
Northern Quahog
Pear Whelk
Pearly Entodesma
Pimpled Diplodon
Pitted Baby-bubble
Pointed Crassinella
Pointed Nutclam
Ponderous Ark
Pure Mysella
Rainbow Tellin
Red-brown Mangelia
Rehder’s Baby-bubble
Ribbed Cantharus
Ribbed-mussel
Rice Olive
Rosy Corbula
Sargassum Snail
Sawtooth Penshell
Scorched Mussel
Scotch Bonnet
Sculptured Topsnail
Seaboard Marginella
Semismooth Wentletrap
Semisulcate Moonsnail
Shark Eye
Sharp Eulima
Sharp Nassa
Sharp-tooth Odostome
Skenea sp. aff smithfieldensis
Slipper Limpet
Smooth Abra
Smooth Duckclam
Southern Horsemussel
Southern Quahog
Southern Surfclam
Sphenia fragilis
Spiny Slippersnail
Stiff Penshell
Stout Tagelus
Striate Tellin
Subovate Softshell
Sunray Venus
Surinam Strigilla
Sybaritic Tellin
Tellin Semele
Texas Tellin
Texas Vitrinella
Thick-lip Drill
Three-line Mudsnail
Threetooth Carditid
Tinted Cantharus
Transverse Ark
Trilix Vitrinella
True Tulip
Truncate Corbula
Two-tooth Barrel-bubble
Variable Coquina
Variable Dwarf Olive
Vespucci’s Dwarf-turris
Weber’s Odostome
Wedge Piddock
Well-ribbed Dovesnail
West Indian Dovesnail
West Indian Wormsnail
White Baby Ear
White Nassa (188)
Wrinkled-rib Wentletrap
Yellow Pricklycockle