Dosinia

Dosinia is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Veneridae, the Venus clams. The genus was described by William Sharp MacLeay in 1838. Dosinia species are found in tropical and subtropical seas around the world, usually in sandy substrates.

Common Names

Common names for Dosinia species include "sunray clams", "sunray venus clams", "dosinia clams", or simply "venus clams", although the latter name is used for many different species of Veneridae.

Characteristics

Dosinia clams are typically medium to large in size, with shells that are usually round or oval in shape. The shells have a smooth, often glossy surface, and may have concentric ridges or lines. The color of the shells varies depending on the species, but is often a pale yellow or white, sometimes with reddish or brown markings.

Environment

Dosinia clams are found in a variety of marine environments, including:

  • Sandy bottoms
  • Seagrass beds
  • Coral reefs

References