Left valve of Donax variegatus
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by AH Cook from Sml Herm. Length = 22mm.
Donax variegatus
<em>Donax variegatus</em> (Gmelin, 1791)
Right valve of Donax variegatus
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by AH Cook from Sml Herm. Length = 37mm.
Close up of inside of left valve of Donax variegatus showing smooth margin
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by AH Cook from Sml Herm. Length = 37mm.
Inside of left valve of Donax variegatus
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by AH Cook from Sml Herm. Length = 37mm.
Left valve of Donax variegatus
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by AH Cook from Sml Herm. Length = 37mm.
Donax variegatus
Distribution and status
Common.
Extends from the south and west coasts of Britain to the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coast of Morocco.
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.
Ecology and behaviour
Found just below the surface in firm sand on exposed shores where it feeds on suspended organic matter collected through relatively short sipons.
Similar species
- Donax vittatus has a coarsely serrated margin
Key identification features
- Wedge shaped shell which is triangular in outline
- Smooth margin
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000174994]
Sort order
10720
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
Solid shell up to 4cm in length. Light yellow or olive sometimes flecked with cream or white. Inside of shell white; sometimes stained orange or purple. The surface is sculptured with a few concentric lines. Pallial sinus deep and partially confluent with pallial line.