Daedalochila auriculata (Say, 1818) Ocala Liptooth At Outback Crab Shack

St. Johns County, Florida

    While researching the presence of the Ocala Liptooth in Florida using the Florida Museum of Natural History collection database, I discovered that the museum's Invertebrate Zoology Collections Manager, John Slapcinsky, had collected the species in St. Johns County at a location identified as "Sixmile Marina, Junct. Sixmile Creek and Rte. 13" on 2/9/1999. Two lots were listed (FLMNH #279729 and 279730) preserved in 75% ethanol thus indicating that they were live collected. As this location was only 3.5 miles (as the crow flies) from the location discovered by Harry Lee and Ed Cavin while following in the footsteps of Thomas Say in April, 2007 and chronicled on the preceding pages, I decided to visit John's collection station and see what might be found some eight years later. John's collection station today is known as the Outback Crab Shack - a somewhat rustic restaurant on the north bank of Six Mile Creek.

    Upon arrival at the crab shack parking lot on June 29, 2008 I had no idea where to begin the search for the elusive snails. However, while stepping out of the car I spotted an empty Daedalochila shell on the ground in plain view. While encouraging, it still took 30 minutes of searching before any additional specimens were found. A couple of hours of intense searching revealed that empty Daedalochila shells were present in the swale for a distance of about 75 meters north of the crab shack parking lot on both the east and west sides of Route 13. While 40 empty shells were ultimately found, no living specimens could be located.  GPS for the location is 29.57366N 081.32348W (WGS-84).

    A return visit to the crab shack was made on July 1st and a more intense effort was mounted to locate live specimens  but to no avail.  However, an additional 47 empty shells were found with the majority being found on the west side of Route 13 immediately north of the crab shack parking lot. Further visits was made to the area on July 12th and July 20th and cumulatively an additional 39 empty shells were found. However, during both trips no live specimens could be located despite a thorough search. Finally during a return visit on July 27th, a single live specimen was found in heavy vegetation in the swale on the west side of Rte. 13 as well as an additional 21 empty shells. Finally, during a return visit on August 26th immediately after the passing of Tropical Storm Fay and the accompanying torrential rain, a single living specimen was found in the swale on the east side of Route 13 as well as a modest number of empty shells.

Some of the 40 empty Daedalochila shells found on 6/29/2008

Some of the 47 empty Daedalochila shells found on 7/1/2008