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Clinocardium nuttallii (Heart cockle)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
This
bivalve is mottled yellow-brown with 34-38 prominent radiating ribs
that give the edge of the shell a wavy appearance. The wavy
edges of the valves interlock when the cockle closes. A cross
sectional view of the cockle with the umbo pointed upward will reveal
the heart shape from which its common name is derived. The
heart cockle can be found from the intertidal to depths in excess
of 600 feet in areas where the substrate consists of mud, sandy
mud, or sand-gravel. Because it has relatively short siphons,
this species will be on or near the surface of the substrate.
When this cockle detects the presence of a predatory sea star such
as Pisaster or Pycnapodia it uses its strong
foot to launch it away from the danger. Other predators include
Dungeness crabs and gulls, which take advantage of the brittleness
of the shells to access the soft flesh within. Another common
name for this species is basket cockle.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 1/22/06.
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