Hinge detail of left valve
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson.
Venerupis senegalensis
<em>Venerupis senegalensis</em> (Gmelin, 1791)
Outside of right valve
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson.
Outside of left valve
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson.
Inside of right valve
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson.
Outside of left valve
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson.
Venerupis senegalensis
Distribution and status
Very common
Recorded from the North of Nroway to the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean.
Ecology and behaviour
Shallow burrower (up to 5cm deep) in sand or muddy gravel at the base of rcoks or dead shells to which it is generally attached by byssus threads. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton.
Similar species
- Tapes rhomboides lacks radial lines and tends to be more oblong. Concentric lines are coarser and further apart.
- Tapes decussatus has much coarser radial lines giving the valves a decussate appearance
Key identification features
- Pallial sinus partially confluent with the pallial line
- Sculpture of concentric ridges crossed by delicate lines
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178613]
Sort order
11030
Taxonomic group
Marine bivalve
Solid shell up to about 5cm in length. Cream, grey, light brown or yellowish in colour sometimes with rays, streaks or blotches of brown or purple. Sculpture of numerous concentric rings with fine radiating lines. Concentric ribs generally stronger on the posterior area of the shell. Each valve has three cardinal teeth; the centre tooth on the left valve and centre and posterior on the right valve bifid.