Clean Ocean Advocate, August 2005
June’s Creature Feature was the common Jingle Shell. These are the valves (shells) of the “rock oyster” Anomia simplex, a bivalve that is found in waters from Southern Massachusetts to Brazil. The hole near the edge of the lower shell is not from a predator, but is actually the point of attachment for the byssus threads that are used to attach the shell to hard surfaces. Often the left valve is found by beachcombers, as the right valve is thinner and more fragile and tends to break up in the surf. To feed, the rock oyster opens its shell and actively pumps water and filters it for plankton. In Asia, these paper-like translucent shells are often used to make lanterns. There were no correct entries for this creature.
August’s Creature Feature is popular with recreational fishermen along New Jersey’s coast. These slow-growing, long-lived fish can reach 30 years old. They love to hang-out around jetties, rocky shoals, and artificial reefs and can be found both inshore and in the deeper offshore waters. Native Americans gave this fish its interesting name. To enter for a chance to win a COA T-shirt, send your guess by mail, fax, or e-mail (PO Box 505, Sandy Hook, NJ 07732; fax 732-872-8041; SandyHook@CleanOceanAction.org).
(What’s Cool at ICE and Coastal Creature Feature appear every other month.)
