Tapes decussatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Cross-cut Carpet-shell
Description
Solid shell up to about 7cm in length. White yellow or light brown sometimes with rays or streaks of darker brown. Sculpture of radiating ribs and concentric rings give the a valves a very marked descussate appearance. Radial sculpture is as distinct or more distinct than concentric. Each valve has three cardinal teeth; the centre tooth on the left valve and centre and posterior on the right valve bifid.
Key identification features
- Pallial sinus and line are not confluent and sinus scar is wedge shaped
- Very pronounced radiating and concentric sculpture in the the anterior and posterior regions giving these areas a decussate appearance
Habitat & ecology
Shallow burrower in sand, muddy gravel or stiff clay where it feeds by filtering phytoplankton.
Similar species
(View comparison chart)- Venerupis senegalensis has much finer sculpturing especially of the radial lines
European distribution
Recorded from the south and west of the British Isles and south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.