[Formerly @lj_lamera]

Hi! I go by L.J. and/or Leo, and I enjoy identifying bivalves and sometimes gastropods on iNaturalist. I’ve learned a lot recently, and while I don’t have formal credentials, I’m happy to help with IDs. Feel free to tag me if you need assistance—I usually respond quickly. You can reach me on iNaturalist or by email at llamera@illinois.edu.

I try to provide explanations for tricky or disagreeing IDs and am always open to discussing them. I also make mistakes, so don’t hesitate to correct me.

….What I identify:

• I’m comfortable identifying many freshwater mollusk species (Unionida, Sphaeriidae, Cyrenoidea, Viviparidae, Dreissenidae) and marine bivalve species (Arcidae, Veneridae, Cardiidae, and I’m learning a lot more). I focus on observations in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indo-Pacific for marine observations, and pretty much every possible place for freshwater observations (although I struggle with East Asia).

• Locally, I’m a generalist in the taxa of Champaign County, IL, and I will identify many observations from a large variety of taxa there.

….Tips and definitions:

• Include a scale reference (e.g., ruler, bottle cap) in your photos.
For bivalves, photograph the exterior, interior, and dorsal views of the shell for the best identification:

• Exterior view: Shows the outer shell, its outline, patterns, and surface details. Make sure this photo is taken at a straight angle, parallel to the camera

• Interior view: Highlights hinge teeth, important for marine species identification, as well as Unionid and definitely Sphaeriid identification

• Dorsal view: Essential for many freshwater Unionids, showing the beaks, also referred to as the “umbos” or “umbones.” This is the view where the “top” part of the shell where the umbones are facing you. See the third photo in the example below for clarification.

Here’s an example of all three views.

….Gear:

• I take most of my recent photos with an iPhone 15 Pro, including macro shots.

Taxones favoritos

Ve todo