Description: The shell is solid and broadly oval in outline, although at one end appears truncated, with a wide gape. It can reach up to 7.5 cm in length. The right valve is more convex than the left valve. The shell colour is a dirty white to cream or light brown, with a light yellow to dark brown periostracum. Growth stages are clear, and there is some sculpture in the form of concentric lines and a few radiating lines, with some irregular formations. There is a shallow spoon-shaped projection (chondrophore) in the left valve. There is also a chondrophore in the right valve but this is inconspicuous as it is hidden under the umbo.

Habitat: Sand, sandy mud or clay. From lower shore down to around 70 m.

Distribution: Widespread around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Mya arenaria, which has a different outline and a larger, broader chondrophore in the left valve.

Key Identification Features:

• Broadly oval outline which is truncated at one end.
• Shell has a wide gape at this end.
• Shallow chondrophore in the left valve.

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

iNaturalist: Mya truncata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Mya truncata

WoRMS: Mya truncata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Mya truncata Linnaeus, 1758. AphiaID: 140431.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Imparidentia; Myida; Myoidea; Myidae; Myinae; Mya