Habitats of Molluscs: Sandy Shores
Common species frequently associated with sandy shores in Britain.
Sandy Shore
The fauna of a sandy shore will to some extent depend on the degree of exposure and the size of the sand grains, and therefore, the stability of the sand. In an ideal sheltered sandy environment such as on St. Martins, Scilly, or Oxwich Bay, South Wales, the mollusc fauna is relatively rich, although the diversity is lower than on a sheltered rocky or mixed shore. In less favourable conditions such as on the long stretches of sand on the Lincolnshire coast, the diversity is considerably reduced. Most of the molluscs of a sandy environment are infaunal, comprising mostly bivalves with their gastropod predators or scavengers. Generally there is less biogeographical variation in sandy shore faunas.
| Most of the species listed below may be found by digging and sieving at LWST and below:– | ||
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Bivalves: Angulus tenuis Fabulina fabula Mactra stultorum Donax vittatus Ensis siliqua Ensis arcuatus Ensis ensis |
Solen marginatus Acanthocardia echinata Abra alba Pharus legumen Spisula solida Chamelea gallina Lutraria lutraria |
Gastropods: Polinices polianus Polinices catenus Hinia reticulata Epitonium spp. turrids Acteon tornatilis |
Where there is a siltier element, the fauna may also include: Cerastoderma edule, Macoma balthica, Mya truncata and Spisula subtruncata.