Venus Clams of Southwest Florida

There are more than 20 species of Venus clams (family Veneridae) living in shallow water along the coast of Southwest Florida; here are 14 of them: 1 – Pointed Venus (Anomalocardia cuneimeris); 2 – Florida Cross-barred Venus (Chione elevata); 3 – Lady-in-waiting Venus (Chionopsis intapurpurea); 4 – Atlantic Petricolid (Choristodon robustus); 5 – Thin Cyclinella (Cyclinella tenuis); 5 – Elegant Dosinia (Dosinia concentrica); 7 – Disk Dosinia (Dosinia discus); 8 – Imperial Venus (Lirophora varicosa); 9 – Calico Clam (Megapitaria maculata);  10 – Southern Quahog (Mercenaria campechiensis); 11 – Northern Quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria); 12 – Sunray Venus (Macrocallista nimbosa); 13 – Gray Pigmy Venus (Chioneryx grus); 14 – False Angel Wing (Petricolaria pholadiformis). The individual photos are not at the same scale. Click on each scientific name to see the relevant entries and the differences among them in our Southwest Florida Shells guide.

Veneridae of Southwest Florida. Photos: José H. Leal

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