Elliptical Paphonotia Shell, Paphonotia elliptica

Elliptical Paphonotia Shell, Paphonotia elliptica. Shell collected from the beach in the greater Cabo San Lucas area, Baja California Sur, October 2018. Size: 2.2 cm (0.9 inches) x 1.8 cm (0.7 inches).

The Elliptical Paphonotia, Paphonotia elliptica (G.B. Sowerby I, 1834), is a member of the Venus Clam of the Veneridae Family. The shells are thin and vary in profile from elliptical to a rectangle with rounded corners, with valves that are equal in size and shape (equivalve) and the shell exterior is sculpted with numerous coarse radial ribs, and raised concentric ridges (lamellae). The exterior of the shell varies from rose, to tan to white and some have brown markings; the interior is tan to white with brown blotches at both ends. The Elliptical Paphonotia Shells reach a maximum of 4.0 cm (1.6 inches) in length and 3.4 cm (1.3 inches) in height.

Elliptical Paphonotias are found settled into holes in rocks in the intertidal zone to depths up to 30 m (100 feet). They range from Mazatlán, on the mainland coast, to Peru. They have not been documented from the Baja Peninsula, though the pictured specimen was collected dead in the greater Cabo San Lucas area of Baja California Sur.

Synonyms include Petricola elliptica, Petricola oblonga, Petricola solida, Petricola solidula, Venerupis fimbriata, Venerupis foliacea, and Venerupis paupercula.