Rayed Artemis

Dosinia exoleta

Dosinia exoleta, commonly known as the rayed artemis, is a bivalve mollusc that can reach a shell size of up to 60 millimetres. Its shell exhibits a circular shape and can be found in colors ranging from white to yellowish or pale brown, often featuring darker blotches. This species is distinguishable from similar clams by its concentric sculpture of fine ribs on the shell surface. Divers may encounter these clams in various habitats, primarily on the lower shore and muddy flats, at depths reaching up to 100 metres, although most occurrences are shallower than 40 metres. They are found in the Boreal-Atlantic zone and the Mediterranean Sea, often burrowing in sand, mud, or gravel bottoms, and are also associated with seagrass beds like Zostera marina. As active suspension feeders, rayed artemis clams primarily consume phytoplankton and organic matter from the water column. They reproduce through a life cycle typical of bivalves, where embryos develop into free-swimming larvae before settling down. Encounters with these clams during dives can be quite common, as they inhabit a range of environments and are recorded at numerous dive sites. The conservation status of Dosinia exoleta has not been evaluated, indicating a lack of specific data regarding its population trends.