Donax gouldii

Donax gouldii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Subclass:	Heterodonta
Order:	Cardiida
Family:	Donacidae
Genus:	Donax
Species:	D. gouldii
Binomial name
	Donax gouldii; Dall, 1921

Donax gouldii, common name the bean clam, is a species of small saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Donacidae.

This species is found on the Pacific coast of North America.[1] This Donax species, known for its periodic population explosions, was eaten by Native Americans in Southern California,[1] particularly the Luiseno and Kumeyaay Indians of San Diego County.

Description

The bean clam may reach one inch in length, and is of varying coloration, often cream, buff, orange or blue and frequently featuring darker rays projecting from the hinge area. The shells are relatively thick, and wedge-shaped, with a polished periostracum. The muscular foot is used by the clam to dig rapidly back into the sand when the clam is exposed by the waves. The bean clam hydroid, Phialidium bakeri, is often found attached to the posterior end of the shell.

Habitat and range

The Bean clam is found from Pismo Beach, California, to Arroyo del Conejo, Baja California Sur. It inhabits exposed sandy shores from the mid-intertidal zone to waters up to 30 meters deep. It can often be found in profusion at sites such as Redondo Beach, California, and Newport Beach, California.

References

Hinton, Sam D. (1987). Seashore Life of Southern California: An Introduction to the Animal Life of California Beaches South of Santa Barbara (New and Revised ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press.

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[Hinton-1] Hinton, Sam D. (1987). Seashore Life of Southern California: An Introduction to the Animal Life of California Beaches South of Santa Barbara (New and Revised ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press.