Leporimetis ephippium

Geological Range

Late Pliocene to Late Pleistocene; Recent.

Paleogeographic Distribution

Cayman Islands to southern Florida.

Remarks

For information on the modern distribution of the species, see Malacolog.

Original Description (from Say, 1826, p. 218):

"Shell subovate, angulated at the anterior base, transversely wrinkled, and within slightly striated longitudinally.

Coast of East Florida.

Shell white, immaculate, ventricose; wrinkles distinct, and with obsolete, longitudinal striae: posterior slope near the hinge parallel to the base; posterior end obtusely rounded; anterior hinge slope rectilinear, oblique: anterior end rounded; fold rather profound, extending from the beak to the junction of the base, with the anterior end: base viewed from the disk of the right valve subrectilinear, but very much arcuated with the concavity of the shell: hinge teeth small, lateral teeth none: within longitudinally obsoletely striated: beak rather before the central.

Length 1 3/5 inches nearly; breadth 2 1/10 inches nearly.

This shell was handed me for examination by Professor Green, in whose cabinet the specimen is preserved: a right valve is in the collection of Mr. Hyde: In general outline, it resembles fig. 3, pl. 287 of Encycl. Meth."

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Synonymous with Leporimetis intastriata (Say, 1826) and Tellina ephippium Spengler, 1798 (original combination).

Stratigraphic Occurrences

Late Pleistocene

Ironshore Formation (Grand Cayman Island)

Jaimanitas Formation (Cuba)

Middle Pleistocene

Bermont Formation (S. FL)

Early Pleistocene

Caloosahatchee Formation (S. FL)

Late Pliocene

Tamiami Formation (Pinecrest Beds) (S. FL)