southern coquina clam
Quick Summary
The southern coquina clam, belonging to the genus Donax, is a type of bivalve mollusk found on sandy beaches worldwide. These small clams, typically 10 to 25 mm long, have wedge-shaped shells that come in various colors like white, yellow, pink, blue, and mauve. They are known for their active behavior, migrating with the tides and quickly reburying themselves after each wave. Coquina clams feed on suspended plant material and detritus using short siphons. They are also edible and are used in broths and chowders. The term "coquina" itself refers to a shell-based limestone, with deposits of Donax variabilis shells found in Florida.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
clamThe southern coquina (Donax variabilis), 1 to 2.5 cm long and pink, yellow, blue, white, or mauve, occurs on sandy beaches from Virginia to the Gulf of Mexico. The northern coquina (D. fossor), 6 to 12 mm long, is yellowish white with bluish rays and inhabits shallow waters…
Read MoreThe southern coquina (Donax variabilis), 1 to 2.5 cm long and pink, yellow, blue, white, or mauve, occurs on sandy beaches from Virginia to the Gulf of Mexico. The northern coquina (D. fossor), 6 to 12 mm long, is yellowish white with bluish rays and inhabits shallow waters…
Read More- coquina clam
A typical species, Donax variabilis, measures only about 10 to 25 mm (0.4 to 1 inch) in length. Its shell is wedge-shaped and varies widely in colour from white, yellow, and pink to blue and mauve. Coquina clams are very active; they migrate up and down wave-washed beaches…
Read MoreA typical species, Donax variabilis, measures only about 10 to 25 mm (0.4 to 1 inch) in length. Its shell is wedge-shaped and varies widely in colour from white, yellow, and pink to blue and mauve. Coquina clams are very active; they migrate up and down wave-washed beaches…
Read More