Comprehensive Description

© Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory

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As with all members of Family Veneridae, this species has no winglike extensions at the umbo, the two shells are of similar shape and the anterior and posterior ends are not highly differentiated from one another. Both valves have three well-developed cardinal teeth (photo). They have two adductor muscle scars of similar size. The umbones are near the middle of the shell. In this species the shells are oval (longer than high) and it has concentric ridges and strong radial ribs which are strongest at the posterior end. The inner ventral margin of the shell is not serrated. Color variable gray or brown, often with streaks (photo) or angular patterns. Frequently there is a purple (photo) or yellow color (photo) inside the shell. Shell has a pallial sinus (photo). The siphons are short, the black tips are separated at the end (photo), and they can be withdrawn entirely within the shell. Length up to 7.5 cm.

Harbo, Rick M., 1997. ;Shells and Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest: ; A Field Guide. ;Harbour Publishing, Madeira, BC. Canada. ; ISBN 1-55017-146-1. ;Paperback, 271 pp. ; The front of this book has color photos and briefdescriptions of mollusks and brachiopods found in the northwest. ;The latter part of the book has somewhat more detailed descriptions keyedto the color photos. ; Organized taxonomically. http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Annotated_Bibliography.html#Harbo+1997
Morris, Percy A., 1966. ;Pacific Coast Shells. ; Peterson Field Guide. ; 297 pp, paperback. ;Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. ; ISBN 0-395-08029-0. ; Brief descriptionsand mostly black-and-white photos of hundreds of shells found on the NorthAmerican Pacific coast. http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Annotated_Bibliography.html#Morris+1966
Fitch, John E., 1953. ;Common marine bivalves of California. ; State of California Departmentof Fish and Game, Marine Fisheries Branch Fish Bulletin No. 90. ; 102pp. ; Includes a key, a list of common and scientific names, and aphotograph and brief description of many of the species found. ; Sincethis is an old reference, many of the names are out of date. http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Annotated_Bibliography.html#Fitch+1953