Southwest Florida Shells

by José H. Leal

Family Chamidae

Pseudochama cristella

(Lamarck, 1819)

Atlantic Jewelbox

Shell size to 75 mm; shell almost a mirror image of Chama macerophylla. As in other species in the genus Pseudochama, attaches to hard substrates by deep right valve, which turns from left to right. Sculpture of about 20-30 spiny radial ribs. Color cream to light-gray. Pseudochama radians (Lamarck, 1819) is a junior synonym.