Spisula subtruncata (da Costa, 1778)

Author: Steve Wilkinson on 5 December 2009

Description

Solid shell up to about 2.5cm in length. The outside is dirty white in colour; the inside is white. The surface is sculptured with obvious concentric ridges and grooves.

Key identification features

Cardinal teeth in left valve form a 'V' shaped projection which almost reaches the lower line of the hinge plate

Ecology

Burrows in sand or muddy sand often in large numbers. It feeds by filtering phytoplankton.

Distribution and status

CommonDistributed from the Norwegian Sea to the Oberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Photo:

Image ©

Steve Wilkinson

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Recorded UK distribution

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