Superfamily Cardioidea Rank Species | Family Cardiidae Order Veneroida | |
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Similar Acanthocardia, Acanthocardia tuberculata, Cardium echinatum, Barbatia barbata, Pharus legumen | ||
Acanthocardia aculeata, common name spiny cockle, is a species of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Cardiidae. The genus Acanthocardia is present from the Upper Oligocene to the Recent.
Contents
Description
The shell of Acanthocardia aculeata can reach a size of 50-115 mm. This shell is robust, broadly oval, with a heart-shaped profile, equivalve and inflated, with crenulated margins. The surface shows 20-22 prominent radial ribs, with rows of sharp spines, especially at sides. The basic coloration is usually pale brown. The interior is white, with grooves extending throughout the inside.
Distribution
Acanthocardia aculeata can be found in the Mediterranean Sea and in North East Atlantic.
Habitat
This species is present in sublittoral muddy sands. These mollusks are phytoplankton feeders.
