Description: This species has a solid shell, roughly triangular in outline. It can reach almost 4.5 cm in length although is more commonly smaller. It is dirty white with a light brown periostracum and fine concentric lines and grooves on the outer surface of the shell. The grooves are grouped close together at either side of the beaks and are particularly prominent at growth stages, which should be clearly visible. Right valve with 2 cardinal teeth, 2 anterior and 2 posterior lateral teeth. Left valve with 3 cardinal teeth, 2 of which join to form a pointed projection, 1 anterior and 1 posterior lateral tooth. Upper and lower section of left valve lateral teeth and inner sections of right valve lateral teeth are serrated.

Habitat: Sandy substrate with good water movement. Found occasionally on lower shore but more commonly from 5 m down to around 50 m.

Distribution: Recorded all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Spisula elliptica or Spisula subtruncata.

Key Identification Features:

• Roughly triangular outline.
• Concentric lines and grooves on outer surface.
• Grooves grouped at either side of beaks and at clear growth stages.
• Right valve with 2 cardinal teeth, 2 anterior laterals and 2 posterior laterals.
• Left valve with 3 cardinal teeth, 1 anterior laterals and 1 posterior lateral.
• 2 of the cardinal teeth in left valve join to form a pointed projection.

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

iNaturalist: Spisula solida at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Spisula solida

WoRMS: Spisula solida at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Spisula solida (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 140301.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Venerida; Mactroidea; Mactridae; Mactrinae; Spisula