![[color photograph of Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae, the state fossil]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/images/fossil.gif)
In 1994, the shell of the Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae (Wilson), an extinct snail, was named the State fossil shell (Chapter 688, Acts of 1994; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-311).
Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae (Wilson).
Photo by James P. Reger.
The Ecphora inhabited Chesapeake Bay and other East Coast tidal waters some 3 million years ago.
This russet-colored fossil shell derives its genus name from the Greek ekphora, meaning "protruding." The more recent species designation of gardnerae is in honor of U.S. Geological Survey paleontologist Julia Gardner. The subspecies name is a repetition of the species name, and the name "Wilson" denotes the person who originated the species name.
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