Description: A solid, broadly oval shell that reaches around 6.5 cm. It is grey, yellow or light brown with a fuzzy light brown periostracum, although this is mostly only at the shell margins. Right valve has 2 cardinal teeth and left valve has 1. There are no lateral teeth. The internal ligament is large and placed on a 'half-moon shaped' chondrophore immediately below the small, dark brown external ligament. Pallial sinus is deep and almost circular in shape.

Habitat: Thick mud, clay or muddy sand, intertidally and in estuaries. This species is able to tolerate reduced salinity.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: There are several other superficially similar bivalves but this species lacks any lateral teeth and has a distinctive internal ligament and pallial sinus.

Key Identification Features:

• Right valve with 2 cardinal teeth, left valve with 1.
• No lateral teeth.
• Large internal ligament on half-moon shaped chondrophore.
• Deep, almost circular pallial sinus.

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

iNaturalist: Scrobicularia plana at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Scrobicularia plana

WoRMS: Scrobicularia plana at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Scrobicularia plana (da Costa, 1778). AphiaID: 141424.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Cardiida; Tellinoidea; Semelidae; Scrobicularia