This species image was collected from Puget Sound sediments and photographed by the Washington State Department of Ecologys Marine Sediment Monitoring Team. For more information about this teams work visit: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/psamp/index.htm.Cant get enough benthos? Check out our Eyes Under Puget Sound Critter of the Month species profile blogs at bit.ly/critterofthemonth
To propel itself, Solemya velesiana uses a large extendable foot that is fringed with tentacles - it can also swim by rapidly opening and closing its shell
Strong side light (here from above, from the dorsal side) shows the fine concentric striations on the shell that cut across the concentric growth lines. The growth lines are centered on the umbo, while the other striations are centered to the right (posterior to) the umbo. The foot can be seen protruding from the anterior end of the shell to the left.