Heteranomia squamula

Species

Photographer / copyright holder

Derek Mayes

Upper and low aspects of the small mollusc (similar to the Saddle Oyster - Anomia ephippium but much smaller). Widely recorded in UK and Irish waters. Sample shown from Scapa Flow (Orkney).

Distribution and status

Distributed from Norway south to the Mediterranean.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on bottoms of coarse sand and gravel attached to rocks or other shells.

Key identification features

Two muscle scars on the upper valve are joined.
The muscle scars are furrowed

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000175746]

Sort order

9740

Taxonomic group

Marine bivalve

Read more about Heteranomia squamula
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Fragile shell up to 4cm in length. Dirty white or brown in colour on the outside. The inisde is dark green and glossy. The surface is sculptured with fine concentric and radiating lines.