American Sun Clam [Heliodes fulgens]
Description
The American Sun Clam, scientifically known as Heliodes fulgens, is a species of mollusk in the family Hiatellidae. It is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, specifically ranging from North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico. This species resides in deep waters, typically from 18 to 732 meters. It is a bivalve, characterized by its thin, equivalve shell with a circular outline. The exterior is glossy and ranges in color from cream to yellow-brown. The interior is generally white with a glossy finish. The American Sun Clam is largely sedentary, living buried in sand or mud.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Clams, Oysters, and Scallops
Bivalvia
|
| Order |
Venus Clams
Venerida
|
| Family |
Sun Clams
Petricolidae
|
| Genus |
American Sun Clam
Petricola
|