Description: This bivalve has a brittle shell with a broadly oval outline. The anterior is curved, while the posterior is truncate. The right valve is slightly more convex than the left, with the beak of one valve usually puncturing the other valve. It is white with a fine, light brown to yellow periostracum and reaches a maximum size of around 4 cm. The outer surface of the shell is covered in fine lines and concentric ridges, giving it a fine granular appearance. The inside of the shell is white and there are no teeth on the hinge. Pallial sinus is deep and reaches the resilifer (spoon-shaped process near hinge plate).

Habitat: Muddy gravel, sandy gravel, sand and muddy sand. Found from the low intertidal to around 60 m depth.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Thracia gracilis, or potentially Thracia villosiuscula or Ixartia distorta.

Key Identification Features:

• Broadly oval outline, anterior curved and posterior truncate.
• Right valve more convex than left.
• No hinge teeth.
• Pallial sinus deep and reaches resilifer.

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

iNaturalist: Thracia phaseolina at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Thracia phaseolina

WoRMS: Thracia phaseolina at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Thracia phaseolina (Lamarck, 1818). AphiaID: 152378.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Heteroconchia; Euheterodonta; Anomalodesmata; Thracioidea; Thraciidae; Thracia