Venerupis senegalensis (Gmelin, 1791)

Author: Steve Wilkinson on 5 December 2009

Description

Solid shell up to about 5cm in length. Cream, grey, light brown or yellowish in colour sometimes with rays, streaks or blotches of brown or purple. Sculpture of numerous concentric rings with fine radiating lines. Concentric ribs generally stronger on the posterior area of the shell. Each valve has three cardinal teeth; the centre tooth on the left valve and centre and posterior on the right valve bifid.

Key identification features

Pallial sinus partially confluent with the pallial line
Sculpture of concentric ridges crossed by delicate lines

Similar species

Tapes rhomboides lacks radial lines and tends to be more oblong. Concentric lines are coarser and further apart.
Tapes decussatus has much coarser radial lines giving the valves a decussate appearance

Ecology

Shallow burrower (up to 5cm deep) in sand or muddy gravel at the base of rcoks or dead shells to which it is generally attached by byssus threads. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton.