Description: Previously known as Parvicardium ovale.

A small cockle that reaches a maximum size of 13 mm. It is off-white to light yellow in colour with 24-26 radiating ribs. At the anterior of the shell, these ribs are covered in blunt scales and at the posterior the ribs are covered in small spines. In the middle section they are smooth. Inside of shell white, often with orange tints. Right valve has 3 lateral teeth (2 anterior, 1 posterior).

Habitat: Offshore muddy sand or gravel from around 5-100 m.

Distribution: Found around all coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Similar to a number of other cockles, especially Parvicardium scabrum.

Key Identification Features:

• 24-26 radiating ribs.
• At anterior these are covered in blunt scales.
• At posterior these are covered in small spines.

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

iNaturalist: Parvicardium pinnulatum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Parvicardium pinnulatum

WoRMS: Parvicardium pinnulatum at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Parvicardium pinnulatum (Conrad, 1831). AphiaID: 181343.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Cardiida; Cardioidea; Cardiidae; Lymnocardiinae; Parvicardiini; Parvicardium