Abra nitida

Distribution and status

Common but local. Distributed from Northern Norway to the Mediterranean.

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 muddy / muddy sand / muddy gravel bottoms where it feeds on organic detritus picked up through the siphon.

Key identification features

Beaks positioned posteriorly, inequilateral;
Oval in outline, posterior margin somewhat angulate.

References and links

Taxon details available from MolluscaBase (AphiaID: 141435):

Abra nitida (O. F. Müller, 1776)

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

[NHMSYS0021054813]

Sort order

10820

Taxonomic group

Marine bivalve

Shell up to just over 1cm long. Glossy, pearl white and sometimes translucent. Sculpture - fine concentric rings. Interior of shell translucent and glossy. Deep pallial sinus which is partially confluent with the pallial line.