Solid but thin shell up to about 5cm in length. Colour white, yellow, pink or red often combined to display radiating rays but generally obscurred by a partial cover of a dark green epidermis (periostracum) . Inside of shell white, pink or purple and generally whiter towards the edges. Surface of shell sculptured with well defined concentric ridges crossed by around eight radiating ribs. Pallial sinus relatively deep with border partially confluent with pallial line. ? Check glossy or not?
Key identification features
- No lateral teeth
- Prominent keel from the umbros to the posterior end of the shell
- Posterior margin of shell sharply angled
- ? Radiating ribs?
Similar species
- Gari depressa has a less well defined keel and posterior edge is more rounded
Ecology and behaviour
Burrows in sand or shell gravel
Distribution and status
Very common
Norway south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean