Talonostrea Wells, Lukehurst, Fullwood & Harvey, 2024, sp. nov.

Talonostrea sp. nov. (Figure 2d, e)

Brief description of shell: Shell small, 4cm or less in length, flattened, fragile, lack chomata, outer margin of left valve may be extended upwards. Occur as single individuals, shape variable to elongate depending on substrate. Outer shell colour variable, white to deep purple. Interior of shell chalky white. Adductor scar usually white, but may be light purple.

Records in the present survey: Ashburton Port area: Hooley Creek. Dampier Port Area: Karratha Bay, West Lewis Island. Balla Balla port area: Intertidal creek.

Previous records in the Pilbara verified by DNA sequences: None published. The WA Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development (DPIRD) has sequences from Flying Foam Passage, Dampier and Cone Bay, Kimberley collected between 2018-2020. The specimens were small and were obtained from spat collectors used during aquaculture trials.

Published distribution (based on DNA analyses): Moreton Bay to Cairns, Queensland (McDougall et al. 2020).

Notes: The Hooley Creek specimen was collected on an intertidal sandflat in the creek. The Karratha Bay specimen was found on a steel support for the aquaculture facility. Six specimens were collected at the base of mangroves (Avicennia marina) at Balla Balla.

McDougall et al. (2020) believe this is an undescribed species. WA specimens have been deposited in the Western Australian Museum.