Chione subrostrata (Lamarck, 1818)

Measuring up to 4 cm long, the Chione subrostrata is inequilateral (beaks anterior to midline). They are usually a uniform white or creamy buff color, with radial or zigzag chocolate-brown markings and pink tinted beaks; slate grey specimens are also common. The sculpturing consists of many fine radial ribs traversed by graceful concentric ridges thus giving a cancellate appearance. In all except the slate grey forms, the lunule is chocolate-brown in color and bordered by a small groove. The escutcheon bears chocolate-brown markings even in otherwise unmarked specimens. The inner and ventral margins are crenulated due to the termination of the radial ribs. There are three hinge teeth in each valve (two cardinals and one anterior lateral). In the left valve the anterior cardinal tooth is bifid, but in the right valve the posterior one is bifid. The pallial sinus is obvious but not greatly developed. It is very common, specimens often being washed up alive.