Petricola japonica
NamePetricola japonica
Scientific NamePetricola japonica
Common NameJapanese rock-borer
FamilyPetricolidae
GenusPetricola
Speciesjaponica
Geographic DistributionNative to the Northwest Pacific, including Japan, Korea, and China. It has been introduced and established in other regions, notably the Pacific coast of North America.
Habitatintertidal
Average Size (mm)30-50
Identifying FeaturesCharacterized by its irregular and often distorted shape, prominent concentric growth lines (sometimes lamellar), and its habit of boring into soft substrates. The shell is equivalve but inequilateral.
Dietfilter-feeder
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Dunker, 1882)
Description
A small to medium-sized marine bivalve shell, often irregularly shaped due to its rock-boring habit. The shell surface typically exhibits prominent, sometimes lamellar, concentric growth lines. The color is generally off-white, cream, or light brown, often with darker brown or grayish patches, especially where the periostracum might remain or due to environmental staining. The specimen in the image appears to be a fragment or a juvenile, showing the characteristic concentric sculpture and irregular form.
