Sunrise tellin
Tellina radiata
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Description:
This bivalve shell is not attached to the substrate. The shells are white with a pattern, that varies. The shells are very smooth and shiny. The pattern consists of bands that radiate from the top to the edge, but vary in width and number. Usually the color is yellowish-white, the pattern is pinkish-brown.
Size: up to 7 cm.

Habitat:
The animal buries in sand. The shells of dead animals are often found on beaches
Depth: ranges from 0 m down to 8 m.

Distribution:
Common all over the Caribbean.

Remarks:
In most countries it is illegal to bring back these shells from holidays.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Genus Tellina
Species Tellina radiata

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Not included in WoRMS database

Scientific synonyms and common names

Sunrise tellin [English]

Humann, P., 1992. Reef Creature Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas, (ed. N. Deloach). New World Publications, Inc., Paramount Miller Graphics, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida.

For further info about Tellina radiata, you can also look up this species under:

You can continue searching for Tellina radiata on one of these Web sites:

Fauna Europaea (animals) | IOPI (plants) | NCBI (genetic)

Google | Yahoo | MSN | Wikipedia