Hiatella arctica
<p><em>Hiatella arctica</em> (Linnaeus, 1767)</p>
Hiatella arctica
Vernacular names
Nestling Hiatella
Distribution and status
Polar to sub-tropical oceans of both hemispheres. Difficulty of segregating Hiatella spp. makes it probable that this distribution includes several spp.. (See gbif map). Widespread and common around Britain and Ireland, but, most records, including the map on this page, combine H. rugosa and H. arctica.
Ecology and behaviour
Rocky substrate, hard and soft rocks, attached by byssus between stones, in rock crevices or holdfasts of Laminaria etc., not boring in solid rock. Lower shore to deep offshore. Siphons circulate water to ctenidium for respiration and filter feeding, and, when trigger temperature reached, expel milt or ova that pass a veliger stage in plankton before settling on suitable substrate.
Similar species
Hiatella rugosa (may be ecotype of H. arctica)
- Bores into solid rock.
- Shell sub-cylindrical from rotating in boring.
- Lacks byssus.
- Lacks ribs and spines at all growth stages.
Key identification features
- Nestles in rock crevices or holdfasts of Laminaria etc., not boring in solid rock.
- Wedge-shape shell, not sub-cylindrical.
- Usually has byssus.
- Two ribs radiate from the beak to the posterior edge; most prominent, and bearing spines, on unworn young specimens. May be worn on old specimens.
References and links
National Museum of Wales Marine bivalve shells of the British Isles. Cardiff
Tebble, N. 1966. British bivalve seashells. London.
Yonge, C.M. 1966. The sea shore. London
Yonge, C.M. and Thompson, T.E. 1976. Living marine molluscs. London.
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000175765]
Sort order
11160
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve