Acanthocardia aculeata
<em>Acanthocardia aculeata</em> (Linnaeus, 1758)
Acanthocardia aculeata
Vernacular names
Spiny cockle, Red nose
Distribution and status
Rare. Occurs from the English Channel south to Morocco and into the Mediterranean. Rarely found on the north side of the English Channel.
Acanthocardia aculeata
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
Lives in clean and muddy sand 10m to 100m.
Key identification features
- Ribs are decorated with spines (though may be worn)
- Fine straight striations between the ribs continuing from the channels between the ribs to about half way up the sides of the ribs
References and links
Taxon details available from MolluscaBase (AphiaID 138990):
Acanthocardia aculeata (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.
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000173547]
Sort order
10240
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
Shell up to 100mm long, 90mm high, 85mm across, juvenile shells round or oval, noticeably longer than high, larger shells becoming plumper and more rhombic with age, developing an angulation or kee