Species Account

Pandora inaequivalvis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Pandoroidea : Pandoridae

Tebble name: Pandora albida (Röding)
Smith & Heppell name: Pandora inaequivalvis (L., 1758)

To size: To 39mm. Shell Structure: Thin, brittle. Equivalve: Inequivalve. Equilateral: Inequilateral, beaks to anterior. Outline: Boat-shaped; ventral margin very broadly curved, dorsal margin almost straight, slightly concave. Posterior margin raised higher than umbonal area into a spout shape. RV is flat, no beak, the posterior two thirds of ventral margin curved over to cover the dorsal margin of LV. LV is curved and twisted so that the anterior third, including the beak, overlaps and covers the RV. Anterior and posterior gape. Contour: Shell slightly twisted. Two radial ridges on LV posterior dorsal region (spout).

Sculpture: Fine concentric lines. Two radial ridges on LV posterior dorsal region (spout). Margin: Smooth. Ligament: Internal, thin, pale brown, pointing roughly 45° to posterior. Hinge: No hinge-plate, RV has tooth-like projection anterior to the ligament. LV has thickened part of shell anterior to ligament and not quite parallel to dorsal margin. There is a gap in this thickened area for the ligament and then it continues posteriorly two thirds along the posterior dorsal margin. Pallial Musculature: Posterior adductor is set in a way from the posterior margin halfway to the umbonal region. Pallial line with no sinus, but is not continuous - made up of dotted line. Periostracum: Beige to pale-brown. Posterior spout area often accumulates sand particles, giving it a darker appearance. Colour: White.

Distribution & Ecology

Mostly recorded from the English Channel with scattered records in the Irish Sea and valves only from the west of Scotland. In sand and sandy mud from low in the intertidal to moderate shelf depths.

Depth Range
Intertidal
Continental Shelf (to 200m)

Additional Information & Related Species

Related Species

Pandoroidea : Pandoridae

References

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

Allen J A 1954. On the structure and adaptations of Pandora inaequivalvis and P. pinna. Journal of Microscopical Science. 95: 473-482.
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: 22/03/2016