Between the Fall of 2007 and March, 2008 about a dozen empty Melongena corona shells, in various stages of decay, have been found near muddy oyster habitat on the south side of the Tolomato River, across from Vilano Beach, at the foot of the Vilano Beach Causeway. The best of these specimens (which appears to be relatively fresh dead) is illustrated below. It appears likely that a small living population is present in the area but has not yet been located due to the difficulty in surveying the extremely muddy habitat.

Crabbed near oysters, Tolomato River near Vilano Beach, St. Johns Co., Florida, 2/20/2008 (80 mm.)

Collected and photographed by Brian Marshall