Marine Species Identification Portal : Lutraria angustior

Philippi, 1844

Description (shell):
Shell elongate, somewhat quadrate, anterior hinge line sloping more steeply than posterior; gaping at both ends. Umbones anterior to midline. Sculpture of numerous fine grooves, developing as fine ridges close to the margin; growth stages clear. Right valve with two cardinal teeth and a single, poorly developed, posterior lateral. Left valve with anterior two cardinal teeth forming a solid, forked structure, third thin and indistinct; and single, thin anterior and posterior laterals. Adductor scars and pallial line distinct; anterior adductor scar elongate, irregular, lower edge of pallial sinus largely fused with pallial line.

Size:
Up to 100 mm long.

Colour:
Dull white or yellowish, periostracum pale yellowish brown. Inner surfaces white, glossy.

Animal:
Animals burrow vertically into deep mud, the siphons reaching up to the surface.

Habitat:
In mixed soft substrata, offshore to about 50 m.

Distribution:
Uncommon in the North Sea, ranging south to the Mediterranean and West Africa (Distr. L. angustior).

Lutraria angustior