Main Ref.	Poutiers, J.M., 1998
Appearance refers to

Sex attributes

specialized organs
different appearance
different colors
remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Diagnosis	Shell relatively thin but solid, swollen, elongate-ovate and roughly trapeziform in outline. Anterior margin short, protruding anteriorly well beyond the inflated umbones, posterodorsal margin long, oblique in relation to ventral margin, slightly arched, forming an obtuse and rounded angle with the broadly rounded posterior margin. Ventral margin long and slightly sinuous, with a shallow concavity at about midlength of shell. Outer surface sculptured with numerous concentric growth marks. Periostracum generally smooth. Hinge line smooth, without teeth or crenulations. Anterior adductor scar present. Internal margins smooth. Colour: outside of shell yellowish brown. Interior pearly and off-white to purplish red.
Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Modiolus philippinarum

Lateral Lines	Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No.	Dorsal
	Ventral
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral	Attributes
	spines
	soft-rays
Pelvics	Attributes
	Position
	spines
	soft-rays