Veneridae – Venerinae: Tawera gallinula (Lamarck, 1818) (‘feathered venus’)

Synonym(s): gallinula Lamarck, 1818 costulata Wood, 1828 tasmanica Reeve, 1864.
Typical shell-length 35 mm. A less solid shell than T. lagopus, and generally darker: brown chevrons often cover the entire shell surface, though they can be confined to distinct radial zones. The concentric ridges are prominent, with at most very fine striae. Interior purple in worn specimens, otherwise white. Lives subtidally and offshore in sand, especially in moderately exposed environments. Native. Endemic to southeastern and southwestern Australia (NSW, TAS, VIC, SA and WA). In Tasmanian waters, this is a widespread and common species.