Tivela bicolor
NameTivela bicolor
Scientific NameTivela bicolor
Common NameNone widely recognized; sometimes referred to as a type of surf clam or venus clam.
FamilyVeneridae
GenusTivela
Speciesbicolor
Geographic DistributionWestern Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and coasts of South America down to Brazil. (Note: Tivela bicolor is often considered a junior synonym of Tivela mactroides (Born, 1778), and this distribution refers to the accepted species).
Habitatintertidal
Average Size (mm)Adult shells typically range from 30 to 70 mm in length. The specimen shown in the image is a juvenile, measuring approximately 3-4 mm.
Identifying FeaturesSmooth, glossy, subtrigonal shell; pale coloration; internal nacreous (iridescent) sheen; typically found in sandy bottoms. The small size of the depicted specimen is characteristic of a juvenile.
Dietfilter-feeder
Raritycommon
Author CitationGray, 1838
Description
The image displays a single valve of a small bivalve shell, identified as Tivela bicolor. The shell exhibits a subtrigonal to triangular shape with a smooth, glossy, and somewhat translucent surface. Its color is predominantly pale, off-white, or creamy, with an iridescent sheen visible on the interior. The exterior shows some brownish-grey detritus or remnants of a thin periostracum, particularly near the margins and umbo. Based on the scale bar, the depicted specimen is approximately 3-4 mm in length, indicating it is a juvenile.
