Buttercup Lucine (also known as Yellow Lucine or Lucine Clam)
Phylum: Mollusca - Class: Bivalvia - Subclass: Heterodonta - Order: Lucinida - Family: Lucinidae - Genus: Anodontia - Species: Anodontia alba · Lucinidae (Lucine clam family) · Bivalve (single valve shown, exterior view). Shape: Circular, inflated/globose, rounded disc shape.
Species
Anodontia alba (Confidence level: High)
Shell Type
Bivalve (single valve shown, exterior view). Shape: Circular, inflated/globose, rounded disc shape.
Family
Lucinidae (Lucine clam family)
Size
Estimated diameter of approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.8-6.4 cm). Typical adult range for this species is 1.5 to 3 inches (4-7.5 cm).
Color & Pattern
Exterior exhibits a dull cream, pale yellowish-tan, to off-white coloration with subtle concentric growth lines. The interior (not fully visible) in live or fresh specimens features a signature rich butter-yellow or pale orange center, though beach-worn specimens fade to white or light cream.
Rarity
Very Common. Frequently washed ashore on sandy Atlantic and Gulf beaches, especially along the Florida coastline and the Caribbean.
Habitat
Marine, warm shallow waters in sandy, muddy, or seagrass beds. Typically found buried beneath the sediment surface from intertidal zones down to depths of about 30 meters.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic region, ranging from North Carolina south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and down to Bermuda and northern South America.
Description
A classic, inflated bivalve shell with a smooth, rounded outline. The exterior surface is marked by light concentric growth rings and fine, subtle texture, lacking strong radial ribs. The shell is relatively thin yet sturdy, with a characteristically globose, inflated profile.
Key Features
Sub-circular, inflated/globose shape; smooth exterior with concentric growth lines only; weak or toothless hinge line (characteristic of the genus Anodontia); distinct buttery-yellow interior patch in fresh specimens.
Collector Value
Minimal commercial value ($1 - $3 for pristine paired valves). It is primarily a popular souvenir find for casual beachcombers rather than high-end shell collectors.
Condition Notes
Beach-worn single valve (exterior view). Shows signs of moderate weathering and sun-bleaching, with surface chalkiness and minor edge erosion. Grade: Fair to Good (typical beachcomber specimen).
Interesting Facts
Lucine clams host chemoautotrophic symbiotic bacteria within their gills that oxidize sulfur compounds (hydrogen sulfide) found in muddy, oxygen-poor sediments to produce nutrients, allowing the clam to thrive in sulfur-rich marine environments.
Ecological Role
Infaunal filter-feeder and sulfur-cycling organism. Plays a critical role in oxygenating marine sediment through its burrowing activity and long, tubular foot.
Similar Species
Lucina pennsylvanica (Pennsylvania Lucine, which features distinct diagonal grooves across the valve exterior) and Dosinia discus (Disk Dosinia, which is flatter, perfectly circular, and possesses strong cardinal teeth).
Beach Finding Tips
Look along high-tide drift lines and shell beds after storms or low tide on sandy beaches throughout Florida and the Gulf Coast. Their bright yellow interiors easily catch the eye when turned upward in sunlight.