Clinocardium nuttallii

The Heart Cockle

Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Superorder
Eulamellibranchia
Order Verenoida
Family Cardiidae
Genus Clinocardium
Species nuttallii

Description: Can grow to 10 cm across; brownish with grey mottling; exposed foot is yellow; plump and rounded shape with scalloped edges; valves are the same shape and size; shell surface has coarse radiating ribs; crossed by concentric growth rings.

Habitat: Found on beaches of fine sand mixed with mud, especially in protected areas and bays.

Natural History: Its siphons are relatively short, so it stays close to the surface. When approached by the Sunflower Star, Pychnopodia, the cockle uses its powerful and extensile foot to practically jump away. A commensal Pinnotherid crab, Pinnixa faba, can sometimes be found in the mantle cavity of this cockle.