Spisula solida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Author: Steve Wilkinson on 5 December 2009

Description

Thick solid shell up to about 4.5cm in length. The outside is dirty white in colour and the inside white. The pallial sinus is deep reaching as far as the chondroophore. The surface is sculptured with concentric grooves but it still appears smooth.

Key identification features

'V' shaped projection reaches no more than half way down the hinge plate
Lateral teeth serrated

Similar species

Spisula elliptica has a 'V' shaped projection that extends no more than half way down the hinge plate

Ecology

Burrows in sandy bottoms, sometimes in large numbers. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton.

Distribution and status

Common

Distributed from Norway to the Iberian Peninsula

Photo:

Image ©

Steve Wilkinson

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Recorded UK distribution

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