Common Coquina




Some of the shells featured in this photograph (flat edge) may be the Common Coquina, Donax variabilis measuring .5 to .75", and found from Virginia to South Florida, to Texas.

The two rounded edge shells, are unclear in identification, but may be the Atlantic Surf Clam, located throughout the Eastern U.S., and measuring up to 7" or, they may be the shell classed under Tellins and Semeles, as "Alternate Tellin", Tellina Alternata, which measures 2-3" and found from North Carolina through Florida to the Gulf Coast.

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Classed under Bivalves
Clam-shaped - coquinas (Donacidae)
Variable coquina Donax variabilis (Say (=D. rœmeri protracta Conrad)
Description: (1 inch) Small, elongate, triangular shell. Smooth exterior with ribbing at beak end of shells. Hinge teeth.
Color: Extremely variable coloration -- white, yellow, orange, pink, red and purple in solids, ringed or rayed patterns.
Habitat: Lives in the intertidal zone of sandy ocean beaches.
Range: New York to Texas.
Notes: Also called a Florida coquina, butterfly shell, wedge shell or pompano. Often seen along the tide line of sandy beaches, where waves continually uncover these shallowly buried clams and wash them farther up the beach. Each time the coquina is exposed, its small, muscular foot immediately emerges and stands the animal on end as it burrows down an inch or two into the wet sand. Coquinas can survive in dry sand for up to three days. They make a delicious broth.
Source: Seashells of North Carolina, North Carolina Sea Grant College Program

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have also been trying to identify shells like some you have pictured. The common coquina seems easy to identify with its more triangular shape and sometimes purple interior. However, the two darker ones you show are ones that I often collect, usually with the drilled holes and more striped colors. If you have found out their name, please post. Thank you!
Katie

Anonymous said...

Hi! I love coming to your site to see your pictures and learn a little something about the shells that I too have collected while strolling down the beach, but my question is this....Have you found any keyhole urchin,or "sand dollars", as most people call them, with coquina attached to it?

Some Common Coastal NC Species

Alternate Tellin
Alternate Tellin
, Tellina Alternata (Say)

Angelwing
Angelwing
, Cyrtopleura costata (Linnaeus)

Atlantic Auger
Atlantic or Eastern Auger
, Terebra dislocata (Say)

Atlantic calico scallop
Atlantic calico scallop
, Argopecten gibbus (Linnaeus)

Common Nutmeg
Common Nutmeg
, Cancellaria reticulata (Linnaeus)

Cross Barred Venus
Cross Barred Venus
, Chione cancellata (Linnaeus)

Angelwing
Fallen Angelwing
, Atlantic Mud Piddock, Barnea truncata (Say)

Angelwing
False Angelwing
, Petricola pholadiformis (Lamarck)

Humphrey Wentletrap
Humphrey Wentletrap
, Epitonium humphreysii (Kiener)

Imperial Venus Clam
Imperial Venus
, Chione latilirata (Conrad)

Keyhole Limpet
Cayenne keyhole limpet
, Diodora cayenensis (Larmarck)

Keyhole Sand Dollar
Keyhole Sand Dollar
, Mellita quiquiesperforata (Leske, 1778)

Lettered Olive
Lettered Olive
, Oliva sayana (Ravenel)