Description: A small cockle that reaches a maximum size of 15 mm. It is white to beige in colour with 26-28 radiating ribs. At the anterior and middle of the shell, these ribs are covered rounded crossbars and at the posterior these develop into 'cusp-like' spines. Inside of shell white, often with yellow or orange tints. Right valve has 3 lateral teeth (2 anterior, 1 posterior), left valve with 1 weak anterior and posterior.

Habitat: Muddy sand, gravel, shelly gravel and stone from around 10 m.

Distribution: Found around all coasts of Britain and Ireland.

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

Key Identification Features:

• 26-28 radiating rubs.
• Towards anterior and middle these have rounded crossbars.
• Towards posterior these develop into spines.

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

iNaturalist: Parvicardium scabrum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Parvicardium scabrum

WoRMS: Parvicardium scabrum at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Parvicardium scabrum (R. A. Philippi, 1844). AphiaID: 139012.

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