Abra tenuis (Montagu, 1803)

Author: Steve Wilkinson on 5 December 2009

Description

Brittle shell up to about 1cm in length. Dirty white in colour and appears iridescent. The surface is sculptured with fine concentric rings. Has a deep pallial sinus which is partially confluent with the pallial line.

Key identification features

Beaks approximately on midline of shell
Almost triangular in outline

Ecology

Found in intertidal mud or clay particularly in areas of low salinity such as estuaries. Feeds on organic detritus picked up through the siphon.

Distribution and status

FrequentDistributed from the UK south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.

Photo:

Image ©

Steve Wilkinson

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Recorded UK distribution

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