Parvicardium exiguum (Gmelin, 1791)
Cardioidea : Cardiidae |
| Tebble name: | Parvicardium exiguum (Gmelin) |
| Smith & Heppell name: | Parvicardium exiguum (Gmelin, 1791) |
To size:
To 20mm.
Shell Structure:
Thick shelled.
Equivalve:
Equivalve.
Equilateral:
Inequilateral, beaks distinctly in front of the midline.
Tumidity:
Tumid.
Outline:
Sub quadrate; anterior dorsal margin very short sloping and a little excavated; posterior dorsal margin short. Posterior margin long, almost straight; ventral margin gently curved, anterior roundly angled.
Contour:
Posterior angle distinct, posterior area broad and flattened. Lunule oval, smooth.
Sculpture:
20-22 radial ribs, angular in profile and with regularly spaced incisions on their margins; interspaces narrower than riblets. Ribs with large widely spaced blunt nodules these persisting on anterior but frequently eroded on median and posterior areas. Juveniles: Distinctly inequilateral, umbonal keel weak, beak small projecting. Posterior riblets bearing prominent spiny scales, other riblets initially smooth but then bearing widely spaced blunt nodules these gradually appearing on all ribs by when the posterior spines are largely worn away to give the adult appearance.
Margin:
Crenulated by interlocking ribs and interspaces. Furrows not extending into the umbonal cavity except in juveniles below 5mm.
Ligament:
Prominent, on short nymph.
Hinge:
Weak, RV with 2 anterior laterals, 1 posterior lateral, 2 cardinals. LV with single anterior and posterior laterals and 2 cardinals.
Pallial Musculature:
Obscure.
Periostracum:
Persistent often as a fringe on the ribs.
Colour:
Off-white some with patches tinged brown.
Distribution & Ecology
Depth Range
Intertidal
Continental Shelf (to 200m)
Additional Information & Related Species
Related Species
Cardioidea : Cardiidae
References
Listed are literature citing Parvicardium exiguum (Gmelin, 1791). Reference containing the species Type Description is highlighted.
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Gmelin J F 1791. Carli Linnaei systema Naturae per regna tria naturae. Editio decimatertia, aucta, reformata, Vermes Testacea 1 (6). Lipsiae. 3021-3910. |
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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. |
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Van Aartsen JJ & Goud J 2000. European marine mollusca: notes on less well-known species. XV. Notes on Lusitanian species of Parvicardium Monterosato, 1884, and Afrocardium richardi (Audouin, 1826) (Bivalvia: Heterodonta: Cardiidae. Basteria. 64: 171-186. |
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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