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Musculus discors

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

CommonNorway south to the Mediterranean

Ecology and behaviour

Found under rocks and among algae. Spins together algae to create a nest from where it filters phytoplankton

Key identification features
  • Anterior region of shell has 8-12 ribs; posterior 30-40 ribs
  • Periostracum is pale green of brown
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176548]
Sort order
9400
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Musculus discors
  • Log in or register to post comments

Brittle shell up to 1.5cm in length. The shell is yellow brown in colour but this is obscured by thick green or brown periositracum. The inside is generally white but sometimes pale purple. The surface of the shell is sculptured with fine concentric lines and radiating ribs. Margin of the shell is crenulate.

Musculus costulatus

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

Distributed from the south Britain to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives amongst algae and stones disguised with fragments of shell or gravel mixed up with the byssus threads. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton.

Key identification features
  • There are 8-10 anterior ribs and 20-30 posterior ones.
  • Periostracum is light green
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176547]
Sort order
9390
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Musculus costulatus
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Brittle shell up to 1.5cm in length. It is dirty white in colour marked with purple brown streaks. The inside of the shell is pearly and sometimes dark brown. The surface of the shell is sculptured with fine concentric lines and ribs in the anterior and posterior region of the shell. The margin is crenulate where there are aribs but smooth elsewhere.

Montacuta substriata

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

Lives attached to the anal spines of some species of sea urchin (Spatargus purpureus and Echinocardium florescens) usually in realtively coarse sediment.

Key identification features
  • Presence of teeth on the hinge
  • Sculpture of obvious radiating ribs
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176528]
Sort order
10010
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Montacuta substriata

Fragile shell up to 3mm in length. White to translucent both inside and outside. The surface of the shell is sculptured with radiating ribs and faint concentric lines.

Moerella pygmaea

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

Frequent

From Norway south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.

Ecology and behaviour

Burrows in coarse sand or shell gravel where it feeds on organic detritus picked up through the siphon.

Similar species
  • Moerella donacina has a much deeper pallial sinus
Key identification features
  • Relatively deep pallial sinus
  • Oval in outline
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176500]
Sort order
10640
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Moerella pygmaea

Fragile shell up to about 1 cm in length. The colour is usually reddish / yellowish white but can include white pink, orange and brown sometimes aranged in streaks or blotches. Sculpture of concentric ridges.

Moerella donacina

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

Uncommon

Norway south to the Mediterranean and into the Black Sea

Ecology and behaviour

Coarse sand / shell gravel where it feeds on organic detritus picked up through the siphon.

Similar species
  • Moerella pygmaea has a less deep pallial sinus and is nearly oval in outline
Key identification features
  • Pale pink radiating streaks
  • Very deep pallial sinus, nearly reaching the anterior muscle scar
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176499]
Sort order
10620
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Moerella donacina

Fragile shell up to about 2.5cm in length. It is generally white in colour with pale pink radiating streaks. Sculpture of concentric lines. Pallial sinus very deep, nearly reaching the anterior muscle scar. Cruciform muscle scars generally not visible.

Modiolus barbatus

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

CommonDistributed from the south and west of Britain south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives in a byssal net under rocks or in crevices (included within Laminaria holdfasts) where it filter feeds.

Key identification features
  • Red shell with beaks a short distance from the end of the shell
  • 'Hairs' on the periostracum are serrated
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176497]
Sort order
9300
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Modiolus barbatus

Brittle shell up to 6cm in length. Red in colour but this is mainly obscured by the yellow or brown periostracum. Inside of the shell is pale blue. The surface is sculptured with fine concentric lines and ridges.

Modiolus adriaticus

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

Rare

Distributed from the Baltic Sea to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean and Black Seas

Ecology and behaviour

Lives within a byssal net on gravel or sandy mud where it filter feeds.

Similar species
  • Modiolus barbatus has serrated spines on the periostracum
Key identification features
  • Light yellow shell with red rays or streaks
  • The periostracum is smooth; it does not possess spines
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176496]
Sort order
9290
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Modiolus adriaticus

Brittle shell up to 4cm in length. It is light yellow in colour with red or purple streaks of zig-zags. Juveniles may be almost completely red. The inside is pearl white. Sculpture?

Modiolula phaseolina

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

CommonDistributed from the Baltic south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Ecology and behaviour

Burrows creating a nest of byssus threads which tangle gravel and other detritus. Filter feeds phytoplanton.

Key identification features
  • Series of round teeth on the hinge creating a small crenulated area
  • Periostracum has spines which are not serrated
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176494]
Sort order
9330
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Modiolula phaseolina

Fragile shell up to 2cm in length. The beaks are a short distance from the anterior end of the shell. It is yellow tinged with purple on the outside and pale purple on the inside. The surface is sculptured with fine concentric lines.

Mercenaria mercenaria

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

Non-native. Has been successfully introduced in France and has also been recorded in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Mercenaria mercenaria

The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data held by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN). See terms and conditions.

The following datasets are included:

  • Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland: marine mollusc records

Open an NBN Atlas interactive map of this data in a new window.

 

Ecology and behaviour

Shallow burrower in mud and sand containing stones and shells. The species has been part accidentally / part deliberately introduced to Britain. It originates from North America where it is harvested in some places. Attempts have been made to test its viability at various locations around Britain but in addition to this there may well also have been accidental introductions through ships ballast or the kitchens of liners.

 

Key identification features
  • Inner margin of shell crenulate
  • Roughened area on hinge line below ligament
References and links

Taxon details available from MolluscaBase (AphiaID 141919):

Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758)

For the species account provided by Marine Bivalves of the British Isles click here.

The UK NBN Atlas entry for the species can be accessed via this link.

Heppell, D. (1960). The naturalization in Europe of the quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758). Journal of Conchology, 25(1), 21 – 34p. Available via this link.

Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176422]
Sort order
10950
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Mercenaria mercenaria

Solid shell up to about 10cm in length. Dirty white, light brown or light gray in colour. Scupture of concentric lines sometimes raised to ridges (less obvious in adults).

Mactra stultorum

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

Common

Distributed from the Norwegian Sea to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Ecology and behaviour

Burrows in clean sand where it filter feeds phytoplankton

Similar species
  • Mactra glauca has the anterior cardinal tooth in right valve not parallel to hinge line
Key identification features
  • Anterior cardinal tooth of the right valve is almost parallel to the hinge line
  • Thin septum separates the two parts of the ligament
  • Lateral teeth are not serrated
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000176334]
Sort order
10380
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
  • Read more about Mactra stultorum

Brittle, glossy shell up to about 5cm in length. It is cream in colour with a purple tint and brown radiating rays. The inside is white or purple. The pallial sinus is relatively deep.

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