Donax (bivalve)

Donax
A group of shells of Donax variabilis showing color variation
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Cardiida
Family: Donacidae
Genus: Donax
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

See text

Synonyms
  • Capsella Gray, 1851
  • Grammatodonax Dall, 1900

Donax is a genus of small, edible saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs with highly variable color patterns. The genus is sometimes known as bean clams or wedge shells; however, Donax species have different common names in different parts of the world. In the southeastern U.S. they are known as "coquina", a word that is also used for the hard limestone concretions of their shells and those of other marine organisms.