Cross-barred Venus
Chione cancellata
Description 3
The cross-barred venus, Chione cancellata , is a small clam belonging to family Veneridae. The cloudy white to yellow-white shells are highly distinctive, with raised, bladelike concentric ridges superimposed on strong radial ribs and giving the shells their characteristic cancellate (crisscrossed) appearance. Zigzag purplish brown patterns are often present and the interior of the shell usually has some purple (Rothchild 2004, Abbot and Morris 1995).Stanley (1981) notes that experiments have demonstrated that the raised ridges of C. cancellata shells hinder burrowing, but reduce scour of sand from around the shells of partly exposed animals.Some authorities recognize two distinct subspecies, Chione cancellata cancellata and Chione cancellata mazycki. Additionally, Roopnarine and Vermeij (2000) suggest specimens occurring along the eastern United States and Central America south to Belize are a separate species, Chione elevata, based on morphometric analysis.
Look alikes 4
Although many of the approximately 23 recognized species in the genus Chione occur in Florida, the distinctive raised cross-bar pattern and the other features noted above should allow a degree of certainty in species-identification.
Reproduction 5
Cross-barred Venus clams reproduce sexually. Sexes are separate and fertilization is external via broadcast spawning of gametes. Individuals reach maturity at around 15 mm shell length, at which time they become reproductive males or females at a ratio of approximately 1:1 (Rothchild 2004).
Link to Access Genomic Data 6
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=145464&lvl=0
Sources and Credits
- (c) Femorale, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.femorale.com/shellphotos/detail.asp?species=Chione%20cancellata%20(L.,%201767)
- (c) Victor W Fazio III, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Victor W Fazio III
- (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11525874
- Adapted by matbio from a work by (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11525877
- Adapted by matbio from a work by (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11525879
- (c) Emily Rose Sharkey, all rights reserved
