Common name : tellins

Aspect : equivalve but may show slight asymmetry; thin, elongated, round to oblong, and laterally compressed, with a rounded anterior end and a truncated or obliquely rounded posterior end with often has a wedge-like profile; smooth and delicate surface with fine concentric growth lines, some species exhibit radial ribs or sculpturing; brightly colored or patterned—pink, yellow, orange, white, or banded, internal shell surfaces may be brightly tinted as well; small hinge with weak or reduced teeth; most common size is 20–60 mm

Feeding : filtration of microorganisms in suspension (phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus, and organic particles) but also ingest surface sediments rich in organic matter by using their inhaling siphon as a probe

Environment : worldwide, especially in tropical and temperate coastal waters in shallow subtidal zones (from low tide to 50 m depth), often in estuaries, bays, and sandy beaches; burried deeply (up to 20-30 cm) in soft sediments (fine sand, mud, silt, or mixtures with gravel and shell hash)