Home » Molluscs » Encyclopedia » Marine bivalve » Angulus tenuis

Angulus tenuis (da Costa, 1778)

Author: Steve Wilkinson on 5 December 2009
Tellina tenuis;

Description

Fragile shell up to 2.5cm in length. Coloyr can be white, pink, rose, orange or yellow both inside and out. The surface is sculptured with concentric ridges. Pallial sinus deep and partially confluent with pallial line; cruciform muscle scars sometimes distinct.

Key identification features

  • Brittle shell
  • Faint ridge running from beak to posterior of shell
  • Lower margin of pallial sinus confluent with pallial line

Similar species

Ecology

Fine sand especially around ELWS. Burrows down to a depth of about 5-15 cm but moves nearer the surface as the tide comes in. Sometimes found in high densities of up to 2000 per square metre. Feeds on organic detritus picked up through the siphon.

Distribution and status

Common

From Nowegian Sea and Baltic down to the Mediterranean and Atlantic coast of Morocco.

Left valve of Angulus tenuis showing colour variation
Image ©

Steve Wilkinson

Additional images

  • Left valve of Angulus tenuis
  • Right valve of Angulus tenuis
  • Inside of right valve of Angulus tenuis showing pallial sinus
  • Valve pair of Angulus tenuis
  • Left valve of Angulus tenuis showing colour variation

All images copyright of the photographer - see "View image details".

Recorded UK distribution