Western Ridged Mussel
Gonidea angulata
Diagnostics 3
SHELL
- size: medium to large, maximum 125mm , most specimens under 65mm
- thickness: moderately thick
- shape: triangular to trapezoid, with a pronounced and sharp posterior ridge. posterior part of shell disproportionally larger than anterior
- width: compressed
- surface: rough, with prominent concentric growth lines
- beaks: multiple coarse, curved ridges
- color/markings: pale brown to dark brown
- sexual dimorphism: none
- pseudocardinal teeth: poorly developed, low, compressed. one in right valve, one or none in left
- lateral teeth: absent
- nacre: white or salmon
Soft parts:
Similar species/lookalikes: general shape of shell is distinctive within distribution.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Wolfram Burner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolframburner/14402997433/
- Lea, 1838, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Naturalis_Biodiversity_Center_-_ZMA.MOLL.419270_-_Gonidea_angulata_(Lea,_1838)_-_Unionidae_-_Mollusc_shell.jpeg
- Adapted by Philippe Blais from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonidea_angulata
_-_Unionidae_-_Mollusc_shell.jpeg){kind=link}