Superfamily Cardioidea Rank Species | Family Cardiidae Order Veneroida | |
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Similar Acanthocardia, Tectonatica sagraiana, Panopea glycimeris, Bivetiella cancellata, Acanthocardia aculeata | ||
Acanthocardia spinosa
Acanthocardia spinosa, common name Sand 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 spinosa can reach a size of 60-95 mm. This shell is robust, round with a heart-shaped profile, equivalve and inflated, with crenulated margins. The surface shows thick narrowly spaced radial ribs, with rows of pronounced thorny hooks. The basic external coloration is usually pale brown; the interior is white.
Distribution
Acanthocardia spinosa can be found in the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat
This species is present in sand and mud, from low waters to 120 m. Like almost all bivalves, these mollusks are phytoplankton feeders.
References
Acanthocardia spinosa Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA