Abra tenuis

Distribution and status

Frequent. Distributed from the UK south to the Iberian Peninsula and into 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

Found in intertidal mud or clay particularly in areas of low salinity such as estuaries. Feeds on organic detritus picked up through the siphon.

Key identification features

Beaks approximately on midline of shell
Almost triangular in outline

References and links

Taxon details available from MolluscaBase (AphiaID: 141439):

Abra tenuis (Montagu, 1803)

For the species account provided by Marine Bivalves of the British Isles click here.

The UK National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas entry for the species can be accessed via this link.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000173543]

Sort order

10840

Taxonomic group

Marine bivalve

Brittle shell up to about 1cm in length. Dirty white in colour and appears iridescent. The surface is sculptured with fine concentric rings. Has a deep pallial sinus which is partially confluent with the pallial line.