Description: Overall shape is a slanted oval with uneven valves. There is no gape in the shell. Grows up to 2 cm, although is more commonly smaller. Shells of this animal are translucent white. There are 50 or more radiating ribs on the outer shell surface, and concentric lines. In living animals there is a very distinctive thick fringe of tentacles protruding from the shell. It is also reported to build nests from shell fragments and gravel using byssus threads.

Habitat: Mud, muddy sand or muddy or shelly gravel from around 10 m - 200 m.

Distribution: Most records from Britain and Ireland on on Irish Sea coasts and northern coasts.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Limaria hians which has a gape in shell, or Limatula subauriculata which has a different overall shape and fewer ribs.

Key Identification Features:

• No gape in shell.
• Translucent white colour.
• 50 or more ribs on shell.
• Slated oval outline.

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

iNaturalist: Limaria loscombi at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Limaria loscombi

WoRMS: Limaria loscombi at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Limaria loscombi (G. B. Sowerby I, 1823). AphiaID: 153952.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Pteriomorphia; Limida; Limoidea; Limidae; Limaria