Common Jingle Shell, Mermaid's Toenail, Saddle Oyster
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Bivalvia, Order: Pectinida, Family: Anomiidae, Genus: Anomia, Species: Anomia simplex · Anomiidae (Jingle shells or Saddle oysters) · Bivalve (upper valve); oval-irregular fan shape
Species
Anomia simplex
Shell Type
Bivalve (upper valve); oval-irregular fan shape
Family
Anomiidae (Jingle shells or Saddle oysters)
Size
Relatively small, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in length. This is an average adult specimen for the species, which typically ranges from 0.5 to 2 inches.
Color & Pattern
Translucent orange to amber with a pearly, iridescent luster. The color is natural, though slightly weathered. It lacks distinct banding, showing fine concentric growth lines. The interior would typically be highly nacreous (mother-of-pearl).
Rarity
Very Common
Habitat
Marine; typically found in shallow coastal waters, intertidal to subtidal zones. They attach themselves to hard substrates like rocks, pilings, or other shells using a calcified byssus.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic, ranging from Southern Massachusetts down through the Caribbean to Brazil. Very common in the South Atlantic Bight (including Myrtle Beach, SC).
Description
A delicate, translucent bivalve shell with a characteristic 'greasy' or pearly luster. This specimen is the upper (left) valve, which is convex and follows the shape of the surface it was attached to. The texture is smooth but features subtle concentric growth rings. The shell is remarkably thin, almost like a fingernail, giving it its common nickname.
Key Features
Translucency; pearly iridescence; irregular oval shape; thin, flake-like structure; lack of a distinct hinge tooth typical of other bivalves.
Collector Value
Minimal monetary value due to extreme abundance, but high aesthetic value for crafts and jewelry. Highly sought after by beachcombers for 'memory jars' because of their bright colors and shine.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The shell shows two distinct drill holes likely from a predatory gastropod (like a moon snail or oyster drill). There is slight edge wear and surface dulling from wave action, which is typical for beach-found specimens in South Carolina.
Interesting Facts
The name 'Jingle Shell' comes from the sound a handful of them make when shaken together. Unlike most clams, Jingle Shells are semi-permanently attached to objects; the bottom valve has a hole (foramen) through which a calcified 'plug' or byssus passes to anchor the animal.
Ecological Role
Filter feeder that helps clear the water of plankton and organic detritus. They serve as a food source for starfish and predatory snails, and their presence on rocks provides micro-habitats for other small marine organisms.
Similar Species
Pododesmus rudis (Atlantic False Jingle), which is typically thicker, less translucent, and more grayish/white.
Beach Finding Tips
In Myrtle Beach, look in the 'wrack line' or the wet sand just after high tide. They are often found mixed with shell hash. Look for a flash of orange, gold, or silver that looks 'waxy' compared to the matte finish of most clam fragments.
Notes
Myrtle Beach SC