Description: This bivalve is up to 6.5 cm in length (rarely any larger) and has two solid, equal valves which are broadly circular in shape. Each valve is covered in prominent concentric ridges which develop into "wart-like" projections on the front and posterior margins of the shell. It ranges in colour from an off-white to light brown. Shell colour could be obscured to varying degrees by a chestnut brown periostracum. The interior of the shell is white, although there is sometimes a pale purple to brown posterior adductor muscle scar visible.

Habitat: Found in shallow burrows in sand, fine or mixed gravel. Depth range is from the lower intertidal down to around 100 m.

Distribution: Recorded from all coasts of Britain and Ireland, although rarely recorded on east coast of Britain and SE coast of Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other Venus species, for example Venus casina but it does not have the wart-like projections of V. verrucosa.

Key Identification Features:

• Solid bivalve that has prominent ridges with warty projections on front and posterior edges.
• Off-white to light brown, although may be covered by chestnut brown periostracum.
• Posterior adductor scar sometimes visible as a light purple to brown mark on interior of shell.

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

iNaturalist: Venus verrucosa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Venus verrucosa

WoRMS: Venus verrucosa at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Venus verrucosa Linnaeus, 1758. AphiaID: 141936.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Venerida; Veneroidea; Veneridae; Venerinae; Venus