Description: This bivalve has a thin, brittle shell and reaches around 4.5 cm in length. The posterior end is wedge-shaped while the anterior is more uniform and circular. It is a dirty white with a rough outer surface and radiating ridges and fine concentric lines. Some of the shell sculpture may be eroded. Both valves have 2 cardinal teeth, one of which (anterior) is bifid on the left valve. No lateral teeth on either valve. The inside of the shell is white and the pallial sinus is deep and tongue-shaped.

Habitat: Silty sand or shelly gravel. From intertidal to shallow sublittoral.

Distribution: Scattered records from around the island of Ireland and the west coast of Britain. Most records on SW coasts.

Similar Species: There are several superficially similar bivalves. Careful inspection of features should help distinguish.

Key Identification Features:

• Thin, brittle shell up to 4.5 cm.
• Posterior end wedge-shaped.
• Rough outer surface that may be eroded.
• 2 cardinal teeth, no lateral teeth.
• Anterior cardinal tooth on left valve larger and bifid.

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

iNaturalist: Gastrana fragilis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Gastrana fragilis

WoRMS: Gastrana fragilis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Gastrana fragilis (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 141578.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Cardiida; Tellinoidea; Tellinidae; Gastraninae; Gastrana