Chalky white, fragile shell, up to about 4cm in length. Almost round. White to light yellow in colour. Sculpture of fine, sunken, concentric lines. Left valve three cardinal teeth; right valve two. No laterals. Orange siphons widely separated.
Key identification features
- Broad mantle with wavy margin and deep pallial sinus
- Fragile round shell with a sculpture of sunken concentric lines
- No lateral tooth in left valve
Similar species
- Dosinia lupinus is more solid, smoother and possesses lateral tooth in left valve
Ecology and behaviour
Burrows in sand, muddy sand, gravel and muddy shell gravel. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton.
Distribution and status
Widely distributed
Found from Norway south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean