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Chamelea gallina (Linnaeus, 1758)

Author: Steve Wilkinson on 5 December 2009

Description

Shell solid, somewhat triangular, up to about 4cm long. Dirty white, cream or pale yellow usually with three red-brown rays. Sculpture of numerous concentric ridges. Periostracum extremely slight and thin. Inside sometimes shows purple stain around the lunule. Inner margin of shell crenulate.

Key identification features

  • Exterior of shell sculptured with numerous concentric ridges
  • Three red brown rays on valve surface

Ecology

Shallow burrower in clean or muddy sand where it feeds by filtering phytoplankton.

Distribution and status

Very commonRecorded from the North of Norway to Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Outside of right valve
Image ©

Steve Wilkinson

Additional images

  • Outside of left valve
  • Sculpture of valve surface
  • Inside of right valve
  • Inside of left valve
  • Hinge detail of left valve
  • Hinge detail of right valve

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

Recorded UK distribution