April 20, 2020
Atrina Serrata
What in the Earth? Actually, in the oceans. It is the scientific name for the Sawtooth Penshell.
Becky discovered two of these perfect shells, each about 6 inches long, on the high tide line at our favorite St Johns County beach. On the ride home, Becky researched them and we learned all about their life, their predators, how they likely died (based on their skeletons aka shells), and how they are cooked.
Yes, these particular bivalves are a seafood with a taste and consistency “quite like a scallop” according to the articles Becky found.
We have a rule of never taking living shells for our collection (this particular beach time would have been a great harvest of beautiful specimens if not for that rule!) but Becky said that now when she is ever stranded on a desert island (been watching too much Gilligan’s Island, I guess), she will know one good item to eat.
Perfect specimens have full shells and these both are broken on the fan edges. The bumps are actually raised sharp points like spikes. Their texture is almost leathery for a shell, and when they are in the sun, they shine with an oil-like sheen.
Beautiful.
A lovely addition to our seashell bowl (we may need a bigger bowl)!
Hope you enjoyed this educational tidbit (and maybe you can find some Atrina Serrata skeletons yourself on the lovely Florida beaches)!
Thanks for reading!
Type at you later,
~Nancy Tart