Species Account

Cerastoderma edule (Linnaeus, 1758)

Cardioidea : Cardiidae

Tebble name: Cerastoderma edule (Linnaeus)
Smith & Heppell name: Cerastoderma edule (L., 1758)

To size: To 55mm. Shell Structure: Robust to thick. Equivalve: Equivalve. Equilateral: Slightly inequilateral, beaks a little to the front of midline. Tumidity: Moderately tumid. Outline: Subquadrate rounded, tending to become posteriorly extended, longer than high. Contour: Umbo pronounced. Ventral profile (viewed from the side) smooth.

Sculpture: 22-28 radial ribs, rounded profile, becoming low on posterior slope and on posterior area. Interspaces as wide as ribs but not distinct. All ribs with low prominent cross bars directed vertically, these becoming obsolete with age and weak or absent posteriorly. Margin: Distinctly crenulate, ribs visible internally at margins but not extending into the umbonal cavity. Ligament: External visible from a lateral view. Hinge: Relatively strong, RV with 2 cardinals and paired anterior and posterior laterals; LV with 2 cardinals and single anterior and posterior laterals. Pallial Musculature: Pallial line entire, adductor scars rounded of approximate equal size. Periostracum: Rarely persistent, brown in colour. Colour: Externally white or with brown zones and patches Internally white usually with a small brown area over the posterior and this rarely extending to the middle of the shell.

Distribution & Ecology

Widespread. Intertidal and shallow sublittoral in sand and muddy sand, mostly estuarine but salinity needs are important. Not in brackish lagoons.

Depth Range
Intertidal
Continental Shelf (to 200m)

Additional Information & Related Species

References

Listed are literature citing Cerastoderma edule (Linnaeus, 1758). Reference containing the species Type Description is highlighted.

Brock V & Christiansen G 1989. Evolution of Cardium (Cerastoderma) edule, C. lamarcki and C. glaucum: studies of DNA-variation. Marine Biology. 102: 505-511.
Jelnes J.E., Høpner Petersen G. & Russell P.J.C. 1971. Isozyme taxonomy applied on four species of Cardium from Danish and British waters with a short description of the distribution of the species. (Bivalvia). Ophelia. 9: 15-19.
Linnaeus C 1758. Systema Naturae. Editio decima. 1. Regnum Animale Holmiae, Laurentii Salvii. 824pp.

Resources

  • Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland
    Provides resources for understanding, identifying, recording, and conserving molluscs
  • CLEMAM
    Check List of European Marine Mollusca
  • MarLIN
    The Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland (MarLIN) provides information for marine environmental management, protection and education. It is a centre of excellence in spatially based and time-series marine biological information and supports good stewardship in the marine environment.
  • NBN Gateway
    National Biodiversity Network's Gateway. Use it to explore UK biodiversity data, as contributed by participating data providers.
  • BivAToL
  • MarBEF
  • Malacological Society
  • Unitas Malacologica
  • Census of Marine Life
  • MarBEF
    MarBEF, a network of excellence funded by the European Union and consisting of 94 European marine institutes, is a platform to integrate and disseminate knowledge and expertise on marine biodiversity, with links to researchers, industry, stakeholders and the general public.

Record last modified: 17/05/2016