Description: This bivalve has a strong and thick angular shell that is elliptical in shape. It reaches around 20 cm in size and is usually dull white to pale yellow in colour, which may be covered in part by the light brown periostracum. The shell gapes at both ends. The dorsal hinge line is straight or almost straight. Inside the shell is white. The pallial sinus is deep and the lower edge of is fused with pallial line.

Habitat: Muddy sand, muddy gravel or shelly gravel, down to around 60 m.

Distribution: Scattered records from around Britain and Ireland. Seems to be absent from most of North Sea coast.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Lutraria lutraria which has a less angled shell shape and a distinct pallial line.

Key Identification Features:

• Shell with angular, elliptical shape.
• Shell gapes at both ends.
• Pallial sinus partly fused with pallial line.

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

iNaturalist: Lutraria angustior at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Lutraria angustior

WoRMS: Lutraria angustior at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Lutraria angustior R. A. Philippi, 1844. AphiaID: 140294.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Venerida; Mactroidea; Mactridae; Lutrariinae; Lutraria