Western ringed lucine • Lucinoma annulatum
![Western ringed lucine (Lucinoma annulatum)](/uploads/1/4/9/9/14993002/2850640_orig.jpg)
Photo by Angeleen Olson.
Identification
Like other lucine clams (Family Lucinidae), the western ringed lucine's shell valves are almost circular, with flattened edges near the hinge (the clam's dorsal margin; click here for information on shell orientation). The shell is compressed into a relatively flattened shape, and the valves are lined with sharp, evenly-spaced, rounded ridges. The white shell is covered with a thin greenish-brown layer of periostracum. This clam grows to 8.2 cm across.
Habitat & Range
The western ringed lucine can be found in muddy-sandy substrates in the intertidal and subtidal to 750 m deep. Its range extends from central Alaska to the Gulf of California.
Similar Species
The rough diplodon (Diplodonta impolita) also has a circular shell; this shell is more inflated (not as flat), and is lined with less evenly-spaced ridges.
Intriguing Info
The sharp ridges on the shell valves are growth lines which represent growth intervals rather than years.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/496449-Lucinoma-annulatum
Like other lucine clams (Family Lucinidae), the western ringed lucine's shell valves are almost circular, with flattened edges near the hinge (the clam's dorsal margin; click here for information on shell orientation). The shell is compressed into a relatively flattened shape, and the valves are lined with sharp, evenly-spaced, rounded ridges. The white shell is covered with a thin greenish-brown layer of periostracum. This clam grows to 8.2 cm across.
Habitat & Range
The western ringed lucine can be found in muddy-sandy substrates in the intertidal and subtidal to 750 m deep. Its range extends from central Alaska to the Gulf of California.
Similar Species
The rough diplodon (Diplodonta impolita) also has a circular shell; this shell is more inflated (not as flat), and is lined with less evenly-spaced ridges.
Intriguing Info
The sharp ridges on the shell valves are growth lines which represent growth intervals rather than years.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/496449-Lucinoma-annulatum
References
Harbo, R. M. (1997) Shells & Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. Pp. 145-146.
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 (2016).
Harbo, R. M. (1997) Shells & Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. Pp. 145-146.
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 (2016).