Spisula subtruncata (da Costa, 1778)
Mactroidea : Mactridae |
| Tebble name: | Spisula subtruncata (da Costa) |
| Smith & Heppell name: | Spisula subtruncata (da Costa, 1778) |
To size:
To 26mm.
Shell Structure:
Thick, solid.
Equivalve:
Equivalve.
Equilateral:
Almost equilateral, beaks slightly to anterior.
Tumidity:
Tumid.
Outline:
Two forms exist: 1) Very fat, squat, umbonal-centric form: Rounded fat trigonal. Anterior dorsal margin shorter than posterior. Beaks very prominent and rounded. Anterior dorsal margin shorter than posterior to a broadly rounded anterior. Posterior margin subtruncate. 2) More elongated form: In both they have a subtruncate posterior margin. Ovate triangular. Anterior margin shorter than posterior, lower to a broadly rounded anterior margin. Posterior margin sharply rounded, almost pointed.
Contour:
No gape.
Sculpture:
Concentric lines. Growth stages clear.
Margin:
Smooth.
Ligament:
External tiny, thin, dark brown band behind beaks. Internal set in triangular chondrophore.
Hinge:
LV three cardinals, which extend the height of the hinge plate, two set in an inverted v-shape, the third just behind them, small and fragile. Single anterior and posterior laterals. RV two cardinals and double anterior and posterior laterals. Upper and lower surfaces of LV laterals and inner surfaces of RV laterals are serrated.
Pallial Musculature:
Shallow pallial sinus not reaching the posterior end of chondrophore.
Periostracum:
Mid-brown.
Colour:
White to cream.
Distribution & Ecology
Depth Range
Intertidal
Continental Shelf (to 200m)
Additional Information & Related Species
Related Species
Mactroidea : Mactridae
References
Listed are literature citing Spisula subtruncata (da Costa, 1778). Reference containing the species Type Description is highlighted.
|
da Costa E M 1778. Historia Naturalis Testaceorum Britanniae London: Millan, White, Elmsley & Robson. 254pp, 17pls. |
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.
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