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The shell gapes widely, especially on the posterior (siphon) end (to the right)
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The shell has a very well-developed pallial line and one hinge tooth in each valve. The shell of this specimen is about 1/2 cm thick. Along the edges the shell splits into an inner and an outer shelf which diverge from each other slightly. I have not seen this divergence into shelves described for this species.
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This shell, 19 cm long, was collected in the 1800's. It was held until recently in the Washington State University museum. (Photo by: Dave Cowles )
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This species is a rapid digger, as shown by this series of photos taken within a short time of one another. In the photo above, the posterior end with the siphons is to the left. The foot has been extended out of the anterior end of the shell on the right, pressed into the sand, expanded, and is being retracted to pull the shell downward. In the photo below the clam has pulled itself farther into the sand and is proceeding to bury itself out of sight. Photos on low intertidal beach at Kalaloch, WA by Dave Cowles July, 2005
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The shell is white with a pinkish tinge inside. It has a supporting rib running from the hinge toward the ventral side at about a 30 degree angle. The shell is thin and fragile. Photo by Dave Cowles, October 2005
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Siliqua patula, about 11 cm long, at Kalaloch, WA. The hinge is on the lower side in this photo and the foot is starting to be extended for digging (Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 2005)
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