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Tapes philippinarum

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

Non-native

Native to Asia (Western Pacific) but since the 1930s has been introduced to many countries including the Mediterranean, Brittany, northern Spain and England.

Ecology and behaviour

The species was introduced in an attempt to create a fishery in Poole Harbour (around 1990) and Whitstable. There are indications that the species is slowly spreading.

Similar species
  • Tapes decussatus has a more angular shape and less radial sculpturing
  • Venerupis senegalensis lacks the prominent radial sculpturing
Key identification features
  • Very coarse radial sculpture especially at posterior end
  • Pallial sinus does not extend as far as the midline and is not confluent with pallial line
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178284]
Sort order
11010
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Tapes philippinarum

Solid shell up to about 5cm in length. White, yellow or brown in colour often heavily decorated with darker brown rays, streaks, blotches or waves. Inside of shell white or pale yellow sometimes with purple colouration. Very distinct radial sculpturing on shell and less prominent concentric sculpturing. Siphons fused together for almost their entire length.

Tapes decussatus

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

Not uncommon

Recorded from the south and west of the British Isles and south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.

Ecology and behaviour

Shallow burrower in sand, muddy gravel or stiff clay where it feeds by filtering phytoplankton.

Similar species
  • Venerupis senegalensis has much finer sculpturing especially of the radial lines
Key identification features
  • Pallial sinus and line are not confluent and sinus scar is wedge shaped
  • Very pronounced radiating and concentric sculpture in the the anterior and posterior regions giving these areas a decussate appearance
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178283]
Sort order
11000
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Tapes decussatus

Solid shell up to about 7cm in length. White yellow or light brown sometimes with rays or streaks of darker brown. Sculpture of radiating ribs and concentric rings give the a valves a very marked descussate appearance. Radial sculpture is as distinct or more distinct than concentric. Each valve has three cardinal teeth; the centre tooth on the left valve and centre and posterior on the right valve bifid.

Tapes aureus

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

Widely distributed

Recorded from the Norwegian Sea to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.

Ecology and behaviour

Shallow burrower in gravel, muddy gravel and soft black mud where it feeds by filtering phytoplankton.

Similar species
  • Tapes rhomboides tends to be more oblong and less glossy
Key identification features
  • Pallial sinus does not reach midline of shell
  • Smooth surfaced (glossy) shell with sculpture of flattened concentric rings
  • Pallial sinus and line are not confluent
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178282]
Sort order
10980
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Tapes aureus

Solid shell up to about 4cm in length. Pale yellow, dirty white or brown in colour sometimes with lines zig-zags or blotches of purple or brown. Sculpture of flattened concentric rings crossed by very fine radiating lines (difficult to see with the naked eye). Pallial sinus reaching the midpoint of the shell. Inside of shell white or cream tinged with yellow. Lunule bounded by a fine groove. Each valve has three cardinal teeth; the centre tooth on the left valve and centre and posterior on the right valve are bifid.

Striarca lactea

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

OccasionalDistributed from the English Channel south to the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives attached by byssus threads amongst rocks or crevices.

Key identification features
  • Ventral margin of the shell has no gape
  • All teeth on the hinge plate are a similar size
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178200]
Sort order
9250
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Striarca lactea

Soid shell up to 2cm in length. It is yellow white in colour obscured by brown periostracum. The inside of the shell is white. The surface of the shell is sculptured with radiating ribs and ridges which gives rise to a reticulate appearance in the middle of the valves.

Spisula subtruncata

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

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

Ecology and behaviour

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

Key identification features
  • Cardinal teeth in left valve form a 'V' shaped projection which almost reaches the lower line of the hinge plate
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178118]
Sort order
10420
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Spisula subtruncata

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.

Spisula solida

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

Common

Distributed from Norway to the Iberian Peninsula

Ecology and behaviour

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

Similar species
  • Spisula elliptica has a 'V' shaped projection in the left valve that extends more than half way down the hinge plate
Key identification features
  • 'V' shaped projection reaches no more than half way down the hinge plate (left valve)
  • Lateral teeth serrated
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178117]
Sort order
10410
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Spisula solida

Thick solid shell up to about 4.5cm in length. The outside is dirty white in colour and the inside white. The pallial sinus reaches to the posterior end of the chondrophore. The surface is sculptured with concentric grooves but it still appears smooth.

Spisula elliptica

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

Common

Distributed from the Barents Sea to the English Channel.

Ecology and behaviour

urrows in muddy sand and gravel where it filters phytoplankton.

Similar species
  • Spisula solida has a 'V' shaped projection that does not extend half way down the hinge plate
Key identification features
  • 'V' shaped projection of teeth reaches more than half way down the hinge plate
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178116]
Sort order
10390
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Spisula elliptica

Solid or brittle shell up to about 3cm in length. The outside is dirty white in colour and is white inside. The pallial sinus reaches to about half way along the lateral tooth. The surface is sculptured with concentric rings.

Sphenia binghami

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Ecology and behaviour

Lives attached by byssus threads in crevices or holes bored by other molluscs or within Laminaria holdfasts.

Key identification features
  • ?Chondrophore not projecting beyond dorsal anterior line
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178073]
Sort order
11130
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Sphenia binghami

Brittle shell up to about 1.5cm in length. The right valve is slightly larger than the left. Both inside and outside of shell is white. The surface of the shell is sculptured with fine concentric lines (?and irregular concentric undulations). The pallial sinus is deep.

Solen marginatus

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

Recorded from the Norwegian Sea and Baltic to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.

Ecology and behaviour

Burrows in sand or muddy sand in the sublittoral.

Key identification features
  • Only one tooth in the left valve and no hozontal teeth
  • Vertical groove on the outside of the shell behind front margin
  • Anterior adductor scar not as long as ligament
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178020]
Sort order
10480
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Solen marginatus
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Straight sided shell up to about 12cm in length. Yellow in colour with light brown periostracum. Shell sculptured with smooth concentric lines and prominent groove just behind the front margin, Growth stages clear.

Solecurtus scopula

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sat, 05/12/2009 22:15
Distribution and status

Local

Distributed from the UK south to the Mediterranean

Ecology and behaviour

Burrows in sand/gravel ? Filter feeder?

Similar species
  • Azorinus chamasolen does not have the radiating ribs
Key identification features
  • Cylindrical shell gaping at both ends
  • Right valve has two prominent cardinal teeth; left valve has one
  • Radiating ribs on the valve surface
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178018]
Sort order
10780
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Solecurtus scopula

Solid shell up to 6cm in length. Yellowish white in colour; inside is white. Periostracum light green or yellow. Sculpture of concentric rings and radial ribs. Pallial sinus relatively deep and is confluent with the pallial line for much of its length.

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