Description: A small solid bivalve with a broadly triangular outline, which reaches up to around 13 mm. Main colour is white to grey but there are usually tinges of blue at the growth lines, which are clear in this species. Shell may be partially or almost fully covered by the glossy olive-green to yellow-green periostracum. Occasionally purple rays radiate from the umbones, but this would be unusual. There are concentric ridges and radiating lines visible on the outer surface of each valve. There is a group of 20-30 teeth at the anterior of the hinge line and a group of 10-14 at the posterior.

Habitat: Fine sand, sandy mud or silt, down to around 100 m.

Distribution: Found on all coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Nucula nucleus or Nucula sulcata.

Key Identification Features:

• White to grey with glossy olive green to yellow periostracum.
• 20-30 anterior teeth on hinge line.
• 10-14 posterior teeth on hinge line.

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

iNaturalist: Nucula nitidosa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Nucula nitidosa

WoRMS: Nucula nitidosa at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Nucula nitidosa Winckworth, 1930. AphiaID: 140589.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Protobranchia; Nuculida; Nuculoidea; Nuculidae; Nucula