Identification
Morphological Characteristics:
- Heavy, thick shell, approximately 40 cm in length.
- Numerous radial ridges present.
- Convex areas exhibit reddish-brown stripes, and the recessed areas display uneven reddish spots.
- Mantle color: yellowish-brown, pale green, or grey.
- Foot byssal threads opening is narrow.
Biology and Ecology
- Inhabits sandy bottoms within coral reefs, found at depths up to 6 meters.
- Adults do not attach to the substrate, but juveniles attach to coral heads using byssal threads.
Distribution
- Vietnam: Truong Sa (Spratly Islands).
- Worldwide: Western Pacific region.
Value
- Possesses scientific and aesthetic value.
- A large bivalve species within the marine mollusk group in Vietnam. A suggestion to keep a number of individuals in marine parks and aquariums to facilitate ecological and behavioral study by students and researchers.
Conservation Status
- Current Status: Very rare, facing potential threats due to coral exploitation.
- IUCN Red List Status: VU A1c,d (Vulnerable).
Conservation Measures
- Listed in the Vietnam Red Book (1992) and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2000).