Chama macerophylla Gmelin, 1791
Leafy jewelbox
Chama macerophylla
photo by Coltro, Marcus

Family:  Chamidae (jewel box shells)
Max. size:  10 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 525 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: North America and Caribbean. Introduced in Easter Central Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Brightly colored, heavy shelled bivalve with long, ribbed, leafy projections in radiating rows. Commonly yellow or orange, although some are pinkish. Inside is white. Highly variable in form, lower valve conforms to the shape of the substrate, upper valve usually becomes worn and looses color and sculpture.
Biology:  Lives fixed to the substrate, with lower valve cemented in place (Ref. 3248). In Belize, it was found in a submarine cave near Columbus Cay (Ref. 87209).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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