Species Account

Vesicomya atlantica (E A Smith, 1885)

Glossoidea : Vesicomyidae

Tebble name: n/a
Smith & Heppell name: Vesicomya atlantica (E A Smith, 1885)

To size: To 4mm. Shell Structure: Thin, shiny. Equivalve: Equivalve. Equilateral: Slightly inequilateral, beaks just in front of midline. Tumidity: Very tumid. Outline: Subcircular, very slightly longer than high; posterior slightly broader than anterior; posterior dorsal slope long, distinct, gently curved, junction with posterior margin slightly angular; posterior, ventral and anterior margins broadly curved. Contour: Lunule not depressed, demarcated by a distinct groove that interrupts the margin; escutcheon prominent, the entire length of the posterior dorsal margin, edges angular.

Sculpture: Of distinct evenly spaced concentric ridges over the later parts, smooth initially. Ligament: External, small. Hinge: Teeth variable in prominence but weak; LV with a single oblique cardinal below the beak angled across the hinge plate (4b), anterior to 4b a sinuous tooth lying parallel with the hinge plate composed of two parts, the first an s-shaped lamina (probably joined 2b2/2a) joined to the second, a weak ridge (probably the lateral AII); a large socket lies above the combined tooth. RV with a sinuous laminar tooth below beak (probably combined cardinals 3a/1/3b) and a small anterior isolated tooth (probably lateral AI). Pallial Musculature: Mostly obscure. Periostracum: Thin, obscure. Colour: White.

Distribution & Ecology

A deep water species living mostly at lower bathyal and abyssal depths. Rockall Trough and Biscay Basin.

Depth Range
Bathyal (500 - 2000m)
Abyssal Rise (2000 - 4000m)

Additional Information & Related Species

Related Species

Glossoidea : Vesicomyidae

References

Listed are literature citing Vesicomya atlantica (E A Smith, 1885). Reference containing the species Type Description is highlighted.

Cosel R von & Salas C 2001. Vesicomyidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) of the genera Vesicomya, Waisiuconcha, Isorropodon and Callogonia in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. Sarsia. 86: 333-366.
Smith E A 1885. Report on the Lamellibranchiata collected by HMS Challenger during the years 1873-1876. Reports of the scientific results of the voyage of HMS “Challenger”, Zoology. 13 (35): 1-341, 25pls.

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