Southwest Florida Shells

by José H. Leal

Family Pharidae

Ensis megistus

(Pilsbry & McGinty, 1943)

Minor Jacknife

Shell elongate, cylindrical, size to 145 mm (but locally reaching only about 75 mm), six times as long as wide, curved. Edges sharp. Left valve has two cardinal teeth, long lateral tooth. Periostracum greenish-brown. Color whitish, sometimes with purplish tinges internally. Considered by some as subspecies of E. directus Conrad, 1843.