Donax variabilis
Donax variabilis, known by the common name coquina, is a species of small edible saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Donacidae, the bean clams. It is a warm water species which occurs in shallow water on sandy beaches on the east coast of the United States.
Donax variabilis | |
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Donax variabilis shells showing some color variation | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Subclass: | Heterodonta |
Order: | Cardiida |
Family: | Donacidae |
Genus: | Donax |
Species: | D. variabilis |
Binomial name | |
Donax variabilis Say, 1822 | |
Distribution
This species occurs on the east coast of the United States, from Cape May, New Jersey to Florida including East Florida, West Florida and the Florida Keys.[1]
Description
The maximum reported size is 19 mm (0.75 in).[1] The exterior of the small shell of this species can have any one of a wide range of possible colors, from almost white, through yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, to brownish and blueish, with or without the presence of darker rays.[2][3]
Biology
This species lives from the intertidal zone of sandy beaches to a depth of 11 m (36 ft).[4]
Human uses
The coquina is edible and is used to make broth. Some people collect the colorful shells to use for crafts.
See also
- Donax fossor, a similar species with a more northern distribution
References
- Rosenberg, G. 2009. Malacolog 4.1.1: A Database of Western Atlantic Marine Mollusca. [WWW database (version 4.1.1)] URL http://www.malacolog.org/
- iLoveShelling, "Crayola Color Wheel Coquinas" Nov 8th Accessed 2014-9-26
- iLoveShelling, "Coquina Butterfly Kisses" July 14 Accessed 2014-9-26
- Rosenberg, G. 2009. Malacolog 4.1.1: A Database of Western Atlantic Marine Mollusca. [WWW database (version 4.1.1)] URL http://www.malacolog.org/