Marine Clams (Bivalves) found on Florida and North Carolina Beaches and Seashore

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Miscellaneous Invertebrates Page | Jeff's Nature Pages

Note, I'm no expert in shell/mollusc identification, so these are my best attempts at it using various resources and friends!


Sunray Venus (Macrocallista nimbosa) Sunray Venus (Macrocallista nimbosa)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010

Fairly commonly found on beaches in the southeast US.

Sunray Venus (Macrocallista nimbosa) Sunray Venus (Macrocallista nimbosa)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010


Yellow Prickly Cockle (Trachycardium muricatum) Yellow Prickly Cockle (Trachycardium muricatum)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010


Turkey Wing (Arca zebra) Turkey Wing (Arca zebra)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010


Calico Scallops (Argopecten gibbus) Calico Scallops (Argopecten gibbus)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010


Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida) Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010

Very common washed up on beaches in the southeastern US. Note about 10-20 strong longitudinal ridges.

Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida) Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010

Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida) Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010

It's not unusual to see the freshly dead muscle of the animal expelled from the shell.

Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida) Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010

Slipper shells, barnacles, and other marine life often attach themselves to pen shells.


Sawtooth Pen Shell (Atrina serrata) Sawtooth Pen Shell (Atrina serrata)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010

Fairly common washed up on beaches in the southeastern US. Note about 30 or more relatively weak (compared to A. rigida) longitudinal ridges.

Sawtooth Pen Shell (Atrina serrata) Sawtooth Pen Shell (Atrina serrata)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010

Although both species can grow to 8 inches or more, here is a Sawtooth Pen Shell (lower left) with some smaller Stiff Pen Shells.

Sawtooth Pen Shells Sawtooth Pen Shell (Atrina serrata)
Collier Co., FL
29 Dec 2010

A mix of pen shells on the beach.




Back to Jeff's Miscellaneous Invertebrates Page | Jeff's Nature Pages

Created on ... Jan 3, 2011 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com