The Sibling Tellin, Ameritella consobrina (d’Orbigny, 1853) is a local bivalve of the diverse family Tellinidae. Its shell may reach 12 mm (about 0.5 inch), and is sculptured with commarginal (“concentric”) lines and oblique striations. “Fresh-dead” shells may be translucent, with iridescent undertones, and the color pattern may include reddish or pink rays inside and outside. The pair of valves illustrated was collected by Dr. Jim Scatterday in early 2015 on the East End of Sanibel.
The Sibling Tellin, Ameritella consobrina, from Sanibel. Photos by José H. Leal.