Partially-rough Venus Clam Shell, Iliochione subrugosa

Partially-rough Venus Clam Shell, Iliochione subrugosa. Shell collected from within the estuary of the Magdalena Bay complex, Baja California Sur, October 2018. Size: 4.2 cm (1.7 inches) x 3.3 cm (1.3 inches).

The Partially-rough Venus, Iliochione subrugosa (Wood, 1828), is a bivalve mollusk that is a member of the Venus Clam of the Veneridae Family. They are known in Mexico as venus rayada. They are sturdy shells with a rounded triangular profile. They are shiny with wavy, concentric ridges that are most noticeable toward the beak and ends of the shell. The exterior of the shells vary in color from gray, pink, white or tan, with purplish-brown radiating bands; the interior is white and may have purple staining around the margins. The Partially-rough Venus Shells reach 5.0 cm (2.0 inches) in length and 3.9 cm (1.5 inches) in height.

Partially-rough Venus Clams reside intertidally over and within mud substrate. They range from Bahia Magdalena, Baja California Sur to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. They are found throughout the Sea of Cortez.

Synonyms include Anomalocardia broggi, Anomalocardia subrugosa, Venus subrugosa, and Venus triradiata.