Tapes decussatus
<em>Tapes decussatus</em> (Linnaeus, 1758)
Inside of left valve
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson.
Tapes decussatus
Distribution and status
Not uncommon
Recorded from the south and west of the British Isles and south to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.
Ecology and behaviour
Shallow burrower in sand, muddy gravel or stiff clay where it feeds by filtering phytoplankton.
Similar species
- Venerupis senegalensis has much finer sculpturing especially of the radial lines
Key identification features
- Pallial sinus and line are not confluent and sinus scar is wedge shaped
- Very pronounced radiating and concentric sculpture in the the anterior and posterior regions giving these areas a decussate appearance
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178283]
Sort order
11000
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
Solid shell up to about 7cm in length. White yellow or light brown sometimes with rays or streaks of darker brown. Sculpture of radiating ribs and concentric rings give the a valves a very marked descussate appearance. Radial sculpture is as distinct or more distinct than concentric. Each valve has three cardinal teeth; the centre tooth on the left valve and centre and posterior on the right valve bifid.