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Ensis siliqua (Linnaeus, 1758)

Author: Steve Wilkinson on 5 December 2009

Description

Elngate shell up to about 21cm in length. Both dosal and ventral edges of the shell are straight. White or creamy white in colour with red-brown streaks streaks. Periostracum dark green to yellow-green. Shell sculptured with smooth horizontal and vertical lines with clear growth lines.

Key identification features

  • Dorsal and ventral edges of the shell straight
  • Distance of anterior scar from shell edge roughly equal to that for the ventral scar
  • Posterior gape oval
  • Anterior edge truncated

Similar species

  • Ensis minor has ventral scar much closer to edge than anterior scar

Ecology

Burrows in fine or silty sand. Remains close to the surface while submerged in water, retreating to a depth of up to half a metre when exposed.

Exterior and interior of left valve annotated to show pallial sinus and muscle scars
Image ©

Steve Wilkinson

Additional images

  • Outside of right valve
  • Outside of left valve
  • Detail of inside of anterior end of left valve
  • Detail of inside of anterior end of left valve
  • Detail of inside of anterior end of right valve
  • Exterior of left valve
  • Interior of left valve

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

Recorded UK distribution