Distinguishing Characteristics |
Bivalve (2 shells); shell ovate, very inflated, beak angles towards the anterior; color grayish white, sometimes with a brown skin (periostracum), interior white; many thick, concentric ribs that go all the way around the shell (in juveniles the ribs are wide spread with smooth shell between the ribs); edges of the inner margin are crenulate; the depression in front of the beaks (the lunule) is as wide as long in large shells; has a small z-shaped pallial sinus; impression behind the beaks (the escutcheon) is well developed with a ridge between the 2 shells. |
Similar Species |
Similar to the Texas quahog, but the Texas quahog concentric ridges are weaker, and become smoother towards the center of the shell and its lunule is longer than wide. |
Habitat |
Nearshore Gulf, bays, higher salinities |
Maximum Size |
17 cm (6 3/4) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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