Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Mollusca |
| Class: Bivalvia |
| Order: Cardiida |
| Family: Tellinidae |
| Genus: Ameritella |
| Species: Ameritella versicolor (De Kay, 1843) |
Information
Geological Range
Paleogeographic Distribution
Stratigraphic Occurrences
| Bermont Formation [Uncommon] |
| Nashua Formation [Uncommon] |
| Tamiami Formation (Pinecrest Beds) [Uncommon] |
Remarks
Common name: Many-colored tellin.
Synonymy: n/a
Type specimen, locality, and stratum: n/a
Other voucher specimens: n/a
Descriptions:
Original Description (from Dekay, 1843, p. 209):
“Description. Shell transverse, compressed, inequilateral, equivalve, slightly gaping at its subacute extremity. Incremental striae evident, but not laminae, and no radiating striae: the posterior end subangular, with an indistinct fold; anterior extremity dilated and rounded. Cardinal teeth two in the right valve; the posterior more robust, simple: in the left valve, rudimentary or inconspicuous.
Color. Polished, opalescent, white, with a distinct purple and bluish iridescence, often strongly radiated, enlarging towards the margins.
Vertical axis, 04; transverse ditto, 065. Diameter, 0*2.
This shell, which is of extreme beauty, and often very brilliant, was first detected by Mr. I. Cozzens on the shores of the Hudson at Glass-house point, a few miles above the city. In its comparative proportions, teeth and color, it varies distinctly from T. sordida, with which it is otherwise allied. It resembles very much the description of T. iris, except in wanting the oblique striae; but I have had no opportunity of making a direct comparison of the shells.”
To access this description in its original formatting through the Biodiversity Heritage Library, click here.
Measurements: n/a
Other remarks:
For information on the modern distribution of the species, see Malacolog.
References: n/a
Online resources:
Page history:
Some of the content on this page was originally published on the Neogene Atlas of Ancient Life on July 7, 2014. It was developed by Jonathan R. Hendricks and colleagues and migrated here in 2026.
This page was last modified on October 28, 2026 by Jonathan R. Hendricks.
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