Bodega tellin • Tellina bodegensis
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Shell specimen from the bivalve collection at the Hakai Institute's Calvert Island field station. Photographed by Kelly Fretwell.
Identification
The bodega tellin has an elongated shell, with a rounded anterior end and a pointed posterior. A slight bend is visible in the shell when looking straight at the shell opening or hinge (i.e. dorsally and ventrally). The exterior of the shell is smooth but with fine concentric ribs. The inside of the shell may have a yellowish, orangish, or pinkish tinge. This clam gets to 6 cm long.
Habitat & Range
This species inhabits the intertidal and subtidal to 100 m deep on sandy exposed or partially exposed shorelines. It buries only a few centimetres into sediments. Its range extends from southern Alaska to northern Mexico.
Similar Species
The smaller plain tellin (Tellina modesta) has a thick ridge running along the interior of each shell valve.
Intriguing Info
This is the largest of the tellin clams, and is not very common.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/326189-Tellina-bodegensis
The bodega tellin has an elongated shell, with a rounded anterior end and a pointed posterior. A slight bend is visible in the shell when looking straight at the shell opening or hinge (i.e. dorsally and ventrally). The exterior of the shell is smooth but with fine concentric ribs. The inside of the shell may have a yellowish, orangish, or pinkish tinge. This clam gets to 6 cm long.
Habitat & Range
This species inhabits the intertidal and subtidal to 100 m deep on sandy exposed or partially exposed shorelines. It buries only a few centimetres into sediments. Its range extends from southern Alaska to northern Mexico.
Similar Species
The smaller plain tellin (Tellina modesta) has a thick ridge running along the interior of each shell valve.
Intriguing Info
This is the largest of the tellin clams, and is not very common.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/326189-Tellina-bodegensis
References
Cowles, D. (2014). Tellina bodegensis Hinds, 1845. Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 20/09/2017.
Harbo, R. M. (1997) Shells & Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell (2017).
Cowles, D. (2014). Tellina bodegensis Hinds, 1845. Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 20/09/2017.
Harbo, R. M. (1997) Shells & Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell (2017).
