Donax | |
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A group of shells of Donax variabilis showing color variation | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Cardiida |
Family: | Donacidae |
Genus: | Donax Linnaeus, 1758 |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
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Donax is a genus of small, edible saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs with highly variable color patterns. The genus is sometimes known as bean clams or wedge shells; however, Donax species have different common names in different parts of the world. In the southeastern U.S. they are known as "coquina", a word that is also used for the hard limestone concretions of their shells and those of other marine organisms. They are called "Chip Chip" in Trinidad & Tobago and "Chipi Chipi" in Venezuela, "Stumpfmuschel" in German, and "Zaaje" in Dutch.[1] In South Vanuatu Languages they are called "Kaiwi" or "Tumbar".[2]