Donax variabilis

Donax variabilis, known by the common name coquina, is a species of small edible saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Donacidae, the bean clams. It is a warm water species which occurs in shallow water on sandy beaches on the east coast of the United States and is also plentiful in Mayaro, Trinidad as well as the Caribbean coast of Venezuela. Known as chip-chip in Trinidad and chipi-chipi in Venezuela.

Donax variabilis
Donax variabilis shells showing some color variation
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Cardiida
Family:	Donacidae
Genus:	Donax
Species:	D. variabilis
Binomial name
Donax variabilis Say, 1822

Distribution

This species occurs on the east coast of the United States, from Cape May, New Jersey to Florida including East Florida, West Florida and the Florida Keys.^[1]

Description

The maximum reported size is 19 mm (0.75 in).^[1] The exterior of the small shell of this species can have any one of a wide range of possible colors, from almost white, through yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, to brownish and blueish, with or without the presence of darker rays.^[2][3]

Biology

This species lives from the intertidal zone of sandy beaches to a depth of 11 m (36 ft).^[4] As most mollusks, the coquina is host to a variety of parasites. On the Atlantic Coast of the United States, studies have shown that coquinas harbour the larval stages (cercariae, sporocysts) of at least three species of digeneans (none of these represents a danger for humans).^[5]

Human uses

The coquina is edible and is used to make broth. Some people collect the colorful shells to use for crafts. It's made into Accra in Trinidad as well as a type of cocktail with a local culantro flavoured sauce. It's also very popular in a coconut curry with cassava dumplings.

See also

• Donax fossor, a similar species with a more northern distribution