Description: The shell of this bivalve is brittle and rounded at one side but drawn out into a wedge at the other, giving a distinctive overall shape. It reaches a maximum size of just under 2 cm. There are at least 30 concentric ridges on the outer surface of the shell. The shell is white but covered by the olive green to grey-green periostracum. This may also have orange to brown coloured bands. Group of 15-18 teeth at anterior of hinge line, 18-20 at the posterior.

Habitat: Muddy sand or gravel. Usually from around 10-180 m.

Distribution: Found around most coasts of Britain, but so far only recorded from the north and east coasts of Ireland.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Key Identification Features:

• Distinctive elongate oval shape stretched to a wedge at one end.
• 30 concentric ridges on outer surface.
• Group of 15-18 teeth (anterior) and 18-20 teeth (posterior) on hinge line.

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

iNaturalist: Nuculana minuta at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Nuculana minuta

WoRMS: Nuculana minuta at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Nuculana minuta (O. F. Müller, 1776). AphiaID: 140577.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Protobranchia; Nuculanida; Nuculanoidea; Nuculanidae; Nuculaninae; Nuculana