Description: A small (under 1 cm), fragile bivalve that has an irregular oval outline. Colour of the shell is very variable and can range from pink, white, orange or even red-brown, and occasionally has streaks or blotches, one of which may radiate from the beak. The periostracum is rarely present on this species. Growth stages are clear and there are even, concentric ridges on the outer surface of the shell. Each valve has 2 small cardinal teeth (posterior bifid on right, anterior bifid on left) and a single anterior and posterior lateral tooth. Colour of the inside of the shell is also variable but generally matches the exterior.

Habitat: Coarse sand and shelly gravel down to around 150 m.

Distribution: Recorded from all coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with some other superficially similar bivalves. Careful inspection of diagnostic features such as cardinal and lateral teeth and overall shape and appearance of the shell should help to distinguish.

Key Identification Features:

• Small, fragile shell up to 1 cm.
• Variable colouration that may have streaks and/or blotches.
• Rarely retains periostracum.
• 2 cardinal teeth on each valve; posterior bifid on right, anterior on left.

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

iNaturalist: Asbjornsenia pygmaea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Asbjornsenia pygmaea

WoRMS: Asbjornsenia pygmaea at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Asbjornsenia pygmaea (Lovén, 1846). AphiaID: 879714.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Cardiida; Tellinoidea; Tellinidae; Moerellinae; Asbjornsenia