Home » Molluscs » Encyclopedia » Marine bivalve » Fabulina fabula

Fabulina fabula (Gmelin, 1791)

Author: Steve Wilkinson on 5 December 2009
Tellina fabula;

Description

Fragile shell up to about 2cm in length. Glossy white, yellow or orange in colour. Sculpture of concentric rings with diagonal striations on the right valve. Relatively deep pallial sinus which is confluent with the pallial line. Cruciform muscle scars indistinct.

Key identification features

  • Diagonal striations on right valve
  • Fragile shell

Similar species

  • Angulus tenuis does not have the diagonal striations on right valve
  • Angulus squalidus has a more solid shell and distinct ridge running to the posterior of shell

Ecology

Burrows in clean sand or muddy sand where it feeds on organic detritus picked up through the siphon.

Distribution and status

Common

Norway down to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

Right valve of Fabulina fabula
Image ©

Steve Wilkinson

Additional images

  • Right valve of Fabulina fabula showing cross hatching
  • Close up of right valve of Fabulina fabula showing cross hatching
  • Right valve of Fabulina fabula
  • Left valve of Fabulina fabula
  • Inside of right valve of Fabulina fabula showing pallial sinus

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

Recorded UK distribution