Atrina serrata

(Sawtooth Pen Clam)

Size

Shell length: 15-30cm (6-12")

Recognition Characters

Large, elongate, fan- or wedge-shaped, extremely thin-shelled. Upper margin of shell is straight while outside section is gently concave. Hind margin is long and straight and forms a right angle with the upper margin. Exterior of shell has more than 30 narrow, radial riblets bearing short, small spines.

Color

Brown to grayish-brown

Habitat & Depth

In shallow mud. To 6m.

Distribution at GRNMS

Rare. Empty shells may wash out to GRNMS.

Geographic Range

North Carolina to Texas. Also south to South America. Rare in West Indies

Behavior & Notes

It would be rare to find this organism alive at GRNMS or on offshore reefs.

Synonyms

References

Rehder 1981