Tapestry Venus, Lettered Venus, or Textile Venus Clam
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Bivalvia, Order: Venerida, Family: Veneridae, Genus: Tapes, Species: Tapes dorsatus · Veneridae (Venus Clams family) · Bivalve (two-shelled). This is a single valve, ovate-subquadrate in shape.
Species
Tapes dorsatus (Confidence: 90%)
Shell Type
Bivalve (two-shelled). This is a single valve, ovate-subquadrate in shape.
Family
Veneridae (Venus Clams family)
Size
Approximately 35-45mm in width. Typical adult range for this species is 30-90mm.
Color & Pattern
Base color is a creamy yellow to light tan. It features dark grey to olive-drab concentric banding towards the ventral edge. Subtle fine-lined zigzag patterns (textile patterns) are visible in the central sun-bleached area. The interior (not fully visible) is likely white or light orange.
Rarity
Very Common. This is a staple find on the mudflats and sandy beaches of Sandgate and Brighton.
Habitat
Shallow subtidal and intertidal zones. Prefers muddy sand or sandy substrates in bays and estuaries, typically found burrowed several centimeters deep.
Geographic Range
Indo-West Pacific region, specifically common along the Northern and Eastern coasts of Australia, including Moreton Bay near Brisbane.
Description
An attractive, sturdy bivalve with an elongated oval shape. The exterior surface is characterized by numerous fine concentric growth lines. The shell has a smooth but dull texture when found on the beach, with a distinct 'humped' dorsal margin near the hinge. The patterns often resemble fine weaving or tapestry, hence the common name.
Key Features
Ovate-subquadrate shape; concentric growth striae; distinctively 'angled' posterior end; characteristic zigzag or 'textile' markings often visible under the weathered surface; three cardinal teeth in each valve hinge.
Collector Value
Minimal financial value (less than $1 USD) due to its abundance and weathered condition. However, it is a lovely representative specimen for a regional Australian collection.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The shell shows significant beach-wear and sun-bleaching in the center. The periostracum (outer skin) is mostly worn away, and the edges show some minor chipping from wave action. Collectibility grade: Fair.
Interesting Facts
Venus clams are known for their 'foot' which they use to burrow rapidly into the sand to escape predators. They are suspension feeders, filtering plankton through their siphons. Many species in the Tapes genus are commercially harvested for food (vongole) in various parts of the world.
Ecological Role
High ecological importance as a filter feeder that cleans the water. They are a primary food source for shorebirds, rays, and predatory gastropods like Moon Snails. They are currently not listed as endangered in Australia.
Similar Species
Paphia crassisulca (has deeper ridges) and Marcia hiantina (more rounded and lacks the specific 'textile' pattern).
Beach Finding Tips
Best found during low tide at Brighton/Sandgate. Walk along the edge of the receding tide on the mudflats. Look for half-buried shells or those washed up in the debris lines after a high tide or storm.
Notes
Brighton beach Sandgate Brisbane