Species description: Previously known as Ensis americanus (Gould in Binney, 1870).

This razor clam has distinctive strong curvature to both sides of each valve. It reaches up to 20 cm in length (although is usually 10 cm or less) and the outer surface of the valve has pink or purple-brown bands on a yellow to brown background. There are also some bands visible on the inside of the shell. There is a 'w' shaped or 's' shaped pallial sinus scar visible inside. The size of the gap between the pallial sinus scar and the posterior adductor scar is smaller than the posterior adductor scar itself.

Habitat: Seems to prefer sand or muddy sand, but also found in full mud or silty conditions, in the shallow sublittoral or intertidal. Reported to be able to tolerate brackish conditions.

Distribution: Now recorded from Belfast Lough and Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. Spreading around Britain and Ireland. Not yet present on all coasts but seems to be doing well and swiftly closing gaps in its distribution.

Similar Species: Could potentially be confused with other species of razor clam, especially Ensis ensis which is also curved, but has a differently shaped pallial sinus scar.

Key Identification Features:

• Distinctive strong curvature to each side of each valve.
• Pallial sinus scar is 'w' shaped.
• Gap between pallial sinus scar and posterior adductor scar is smaller than the posterior adductor scar itself.

Distribution Map from NBN: Ensis leei at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Ensis leei at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Ensis leei at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Ensis leei M. Huber, 2015. AphiaID: 876640.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Adapedonta; Solenoidea; Pharidae; Cultellinae; Ensis