Image of Macoma Leach 1819

Description:

This species has long siphons which it can extend from the posterior end of the shell and up through several cm of sediment to the surface. They look creamy white when extended but look more orange when they are retracted. This species sucks in sediment, digests out some diatoms and flagellates, and rejects the majority of the sediment leading to copious production of pseudofeces, as seen in the photo. Photo by Dave Cowles, August 2005