Pacific Little-neck Clam or Tapes Clam
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Bivalvia, Order: Venerida, Family: Veneridae, Genus: Leukoma, Species: Leukoma staminea · Veneridae (Venus Clam family) · Bivalve (two-shelled), whole shell, elongate-oval or sub-quadrate shape
Species
Leukoma staminea
Shell Type
Bivalve (two-shelled), whole shell, elongate-oval or sub-quadrate shape
Family
Veneridae (Venus Clam family)
Size
Approximately 2 to 3 inches in length, which is a very typical adult size for this species, as they generally range from 1.5 to 3.5 inches.
Color & Pattern
Brownish-cream base with darker brown concentric growth rings and faint radial streaks forming a reticulated or checkered pattern. The colors appear natural with minor weathering.
Rarity
Common, frequently found on Pacific Northwest beaches and mudflats.
Habitat
Shallow intertidal and subtidal zones, typically buried in sand, gravel, or muddy gravel substrates in marine environments.
Geographic Range
Pacific coast of North America, ranging from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to San Quintin, Baja California.
Description
An attractive and sturdy bivalve shell featuring prominent, intersecting concentric ridges and radial ribs that create a distinct crisscross or checkered texture. The shape is broadly oval with a slightly offset umbo and a smooth interior margin.
Key Features
Distinctive crisscross sculptural pattern formed by strong concentric ridges intersecting with fine radial ribs, combined with a robust, oval bivalve shape and a shallowly indented lunule near the beaks.
Collector Value
Low to moderate collector value, primarily valued as a common beach find or educational specimen rather than a rare cabinet piece. Typically found in shell shops as part of coastal craft supplies or local souvenir lots.
Condition Notes
Good condition whole single valve with intact margins, natural coloration well-preserved, and minor surface wear typical of beach-worn or harvested specimens. Grade: Good.
Interesting Facts
This species is a culturally and historically important food source for Indigenous peoples along the Pacific coast of North America and remains a popular target for recreational and commercial clam harvesting.
Ecological Role
Acts as an important filter feeder in coastal marine ecosystems, helping to clear suspended organic matter from the water column, and serves as an essential prey food source for crabs, sea otters, shorebirds, and fish.
Similar Species
Manila clam (Venerupis philippinarum), which is more oblong and has deeper posterior grooves, and the Butter clam (Saxidomus gigantea), which lacks the prominent radial ribbing.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along Pacific Northwest and Californian beaches, gravel bars, and tidal mudflats during extreme low tides, searching for small siphon holes or exposed edges of shells buried just beneath the surface.