Tellina radiata

{{Short description|Species of bivalve}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Tellinidae - Tellina radiata.JPG

| image_caption = A view of the external surface of a valve of Tellina radiata

| image2 = Tellina radiata (sunrise tellin clam) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas) 2 (15570656103).jpg

| image2_caption = Interior of a left valve of Tellina radiata

| taxon = Tellina radiata

| authority = Linnaeus, 1758

| synonyms =

  • Tellina unimaculata Lamarck, 1818

}}

Tellina radiata, common name sunrise tellin, is a species of bivalve mollusc in the family Tellinidae, the tellins.[http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=420900 WoRMS]

Description

Shell of Tellina radiata can reach a length of {{convert|10.5|cm}}.[http://www.sealifebase.org/summary/Tellina-radiata.html Sealife Base] The shells of these bivalves are yellowish-white or pale pinkish, with a smooth and shiny surface. They show a quite variable pattern of pinkish-brown bands radiating from the top to the edges. These bivalves live buried in sand.[http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=422 Species Identification]

Distribution and habitat

The sunrise tellin can be found in the Eastern North America (Caribbean Sea, Colombia, Cuba, Gulf of Mexico, Jamaica...as far South-East as Barbados). These filter-feeding bivalves inhabit marine and estuarine settings.

References