Description: A solid shell with a rounded rectangular to rhomboid outline with wide gapes at both ends. It can reach around 6.5 cm in length and is dirty white with a green to yellow coloured periostracum. The outer surface is covered in concentric lines and irregular radiating ribs, which are separated into 2 groups. There are around 30 in the middle of the shell, radiating from the umbones and about 20 on the posterior running laterally from middle region to posterior margin. The anterior part of the shell lacks ribs but still has the fine concentric lines. Right valve with 2 blunt, spike-like cardinal teeth. Pallial sinus is deep and runs 2/3 the length of the shell.

Habitat: Clean shelly or sandy gravel down to around 30 m. Can be found intertidally on occasion, although this is rare.

Distribution: Scattered distribution around Britain in Ireland with records mostly in northern Scotland, southern England and some in Strangford Lough.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species. Could be superficially similar to some piddocks but other features should allow it to be easily distinguished.

Key Identification Features:

• Rounded rectangular to rhomboid shell with wide gapes at both ends.
• Grouping of the irregular radiating ribs.
• Right valve with 2 blunt cardinal teeth.
• Long, deep pallial sinus.

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

iNaturalist: Solecurtus scopula at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Solecurtus scopula

WoRMS: Solecurtus scopula at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Solecurtus scopula (W. Turton, 1822). AphiaID: 141543.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Cardiida; Tellinoidea; Solecurtidae; Solecurtus