Canaveral National Seashore Guide to Seashells Man’s fascination with seashells has never Lightning Whelk Jingle Shell seemed to dim through the years. Canaveral What makes the lightning whelk The dissimilar valves of National Seashore is proof of this, with beach- (Busycon contrarium) different the jingle shell (Anomia combing and shell collecting as some of it’s most from other whelks is its “left- simplex) comes in variety popular and rewarding activities. handedness”, meaning the shell of translucent solid colors. By no means does this pamphlet attempt to opens to the left rather than to the The upper valve is variably cover all the different types of seashells found right. Specimens of this species may shaped, and the lower along Canaveral’s shores, but sixteen of the reach 16” in length, with 5 or 6 whorls valve is flat and fragile, with most common are mentioned. and small triangular knobs at its a large hole through which shoulders. threads pass to attach the live animal to rocks. The shell gets its name from the “jingle” the Common Oyster valves make when shaken. The common oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is greatly variable in shape, with massive rough and Razor Clam unequal shells. Its lower valve The large jackknife or razor clam Wing is usually cemented to any hard (Ensis directus) is about six times A favorite of collectors, this object available. Young oysters longer than it is wide. A live clam can fragile, pure white shell is aptly can smother in mud, so burrow deeply and hold on tenaciously named. Angel wings (Cyrtopleura fishermen often throw back with its muscular foot. The fully extended costata) are found mostly in colonies, shells for them to attach to. foot is nearly as long as the shell, and can buried in up to 3 feet of mud or clay. be used for swimming as well. They are abundant in muddy mangrove areas along the Florida coast. Pen Shell Pen shells average 6” in length Calico Scallop and live in soft, sandy mud with The calico (Aequipecten their narrow tips downward. A gibbus) belongs to a large Moon Shell small foot spins clumps of tough and diverse group of The carnivorous moon threads that keep it attached to bivalves, the scallops. They snail (Polinices duplicatus) may buried stones and broken shells. come in many colors - some consume 3 or 4 small clams a Two varieties of pen shells are collectors have a hundred day. It is easily identified by the found in this area: saw-toothed calicos, all with different color solid 2” shell with its 4 or 5 whorls (Atrina serrata) and rigid (A. rigida). combinations. By opening and and compressed upper portions. the rigid is distinguished by a horny shutting its valves, the scallop texture with 15 rows of erect, prickly creates strong jets of water that are used as a means spines; the saw-toothed has small of propulsion. Incongruous Ark scales and over 30 ribs. The incongruous ark (Anadara brasiliana) is about as long as it is high, with 26 to 28 beaded ribs. The left valve overlaps the right toward the Coquina Clam Great Heart Cockle posterior end of the shell. Arks are This tiny 1/2” bivalve is probably (Dinocardium robustum) edible but are not usually eaten the most abundant shell found along is very common in Florida. in the U.S. because of their Florida’s beaches. The coquina It is the largest of the bitter taste, and because in (Donax varabilis) comes in many cockle group, measuring some species the blood’s colors and patterns, both solid and 3-5”, and is heart shaped hemoglobin makes the plaid. Washed and boiled they make an with serrate or scalloped flesh a red color. excellent chowder. margins. Canaveral Pearl Oyster Atlantic Auger The pearl oyster (Pinctada radiata) The Atlantic auger is only remotely related to edible (Terebra dislocata) is easily oysters. It has a flat shell with distinguished by its long tapered scaly concentric projections, shell, with 15 whorls and 20-25 and lives mostly on rocks and ribs per whorl. It’s found abundantly Guide sea fans. The pearl oyster can on sand bars in Florida and is produce layers of nacre to cover carnivorous, feeding on marine worms small irritants, like a grain of and young clams. It is also found in the to sand, producing the only gem of Pleistocene time period fossil beds in Florida animal ...a pearl. and Bermuda. Seashells Terminology of Southern Quahog Clam Univalve and Bivalve Shells The southern quahog

(Mercenaria campechiensis),

like its close relative the UNIVALVE northern quahog, is often used commercially - in chowders, } Apex on the half shell, etc. It is Spire distinguished by a large, dingy (Whorls) white shell with numerous Shoulder concentric lines of growth.

Disk Shell Aperture Frequently washed ashore after storms, the disk shell (Dosinia discus) is usually Body found just offshore in Whorl moderately shallow water. It is a trim and neat shell, about 3" in diameter, circular, and glossy off-white in color, with numerous and crowded concentric lines.

BIVALVE U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service National Seashore

Slipper Shell Radiating Upper Lines or Valve Slipper shells (Crepidula fornicata) Ribs are easily identified by a horizontal plate partially dividing its cavity, giving the shell a “slipper” look. These small 1 Posterior Anterior End 1/2" shells are among the first collected End by children for playthings. Commercially, under the name “quarterdecks”, many Concentric Lower tons of these are scattered over the sea Lines Valve floor for embryo oysters to settle on.