Family Arcidae Scientific name Arca zebra | Phylum Mollusca Order Arcoida Genus Arca Rank Species | |
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Similar Arca, Arca imbricata, Anadara ovalis, Barbatia, Ark clam | ||
Arca zebra versace
Arca zebra, or the turkey wing ark clam, is a bivalve mollusc in the family Arcidae, the ark clams.
Contents
Distribution
This species is found along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from North Carolina to the West Indies and Bermuda. It attaches itself to rocks or other hard substrates in shallow water with byssus threads.
Description
The shell of Arca zebra is boldly striped in brown and white which gives it a resemblance to the wing of a wild turkey. The whole shell (when both valves are together) has also been likened to Noah's Ark. It is a sturdy shell growing up to 4 in (10 cm) long and 2 in wide. The umbones are separated by a shallow depression, and the hinge is long and straight with about 50 small teeth. There is coarse sculpturing fanning out from the umbones. The inside of the shell is whitish or pale mauve.
Aquaria
These clams are sometimes hitchhikers on live rock, ending up in saltwater fish tanks. They blow out debris in little plumes that may be noticed by the tank owner, leading to their discovery.
