Distinguishing Characteristics |
Bivalve (2 shells); shell elongate-oval, sometimes squarish, inflated; color white, brown, yellow or rosy, can be mottled or with concentric streaking, hinge area almost always purple; shell smooth but with minute radial ribs, especially on ventral surface, that are difficult to see unless held at the correct angle to the light; low concentric growth rings; inside ventral (lower) margin crenulate (ridged); slight ridge from beak to posterior lower margin. |
Similar Species |
Most other cockles have more well-defined (visible) ribs. A distinguishing characteristic of the egg cockle may be the splash of purple on its hinge line which one source says is always there. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, muddy to sandy bottoms |
Maximum Size |
5 cm (2 in) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
L. laevigatum |
Comments |