Tridacna noae (A, B) from Tutuila, American Sāmoa, showing the teardrop-shaped spots on the edge of the mantle with the typical golden ring, and the lack of a distinct row of eyes (or hyaline organs). Tridacna maxima (C and D) shows considerable variation in the color on the mantle, but a row of eyes along the periphery of the mantle is a distinctive character. (C) T. maxima and (D) a blue variant of T. maxima from Tutuila, American Sāmoa for comparison highlighting the row of eyes at the upper mantle’s margin and lacking the ringed spots.
Photos: Paolo
Marra-Biggs