Amethyst gem clam | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Veneroida |
Family: | Veneridae |
Genus: |
Gemma Deshayes, 1853 |
Species: | G. gemma |
Binomial name | |
Gemma gemma Totten, 1834 |
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Synonyms | |
Gemma purpurea Lea, 1842 |
Gemma purpurea Lea, 1842
The amethyst gem clam, Gemma gemma, is species of very small saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae, the Venus clams.
This is a small species, reaching a length of only 5 mm. The shell color is whitish or grayish, suffused with purple on both outer and inner surfaces.
This species is native to the Atlantic coast of North America, from Labrador to Texas, but it is now also found as an introduced species in some locations on the Pacific coast.