imperial venus Chione latilirata (Conrad)
Description: (1 ½ inches) Rounded, triangular and well-inflated shell. Large, heavy concentric ridges rounded and often sharply shelved at the top. Ridges fragile on dry specimens. Bottom edge of ridges not serrated. Bottom edge of shell finely grooved. Cardinal and lateral teeth on hinge. Lunule and pallial sinus.
Color: Tan exterior with lavender blotches and radial stripes.
Habitat: Lives offshore, south of Cape Hatteras, in 60 to 120 foot depths. Occasionally found on ocean beaches.
Range: North Carolina to Brazil.
Notes: This species was frequently found among catches of the Atlantic calico scallop fishery.
Source: NC Sea Grant
Seashells of North Carolina Field Guide

Sharon:

Sorry to take so long to get back to you.  I'm working on your shells
emails today.  I can't find anything else really interesting about the
Imperial Venus -- but I think they are very neat looking shells!  I have
never found one of those on NC shores, or anywhere!  Looks like you have
lots of them.

I'll enjoy reading your aquaculture blog.  Good to hear from you!

Terri

NC Sea Grant

High Resolution 2816 x 2212
1104 kilobyte

High Resolution 2816 x 2212
1134 kilobyte

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