Reap What Ye Sow
Posted by Clinton on August 22, 2004
Q: I found a clam in the Laguna Madre at Corpus Christi, TX and am wondering what the blue "dots" are around the upper and lower 'lips' when the clam opens it mouth?
A: I'm not familair with your area but it sounds as though your clam is from saltwater. There are lots of different kinds of saltwater mollusks but I think I know what you've seen. The scallops have a row of brightly colored "eyes" along their mantle that you can see when the shell is almost, but not completely, closed. Although these function as light receptors, they aren't very discerning eyes and probably can only note sudden changes in light intensity as when a shadow falls on them. Compare the shape of your clam's shell to that of the Shell logo for the gas company and I think you'll have your clam. Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( August 24, 2004)