Biology:Sand cockle
| Acanthocardia spinosa | |
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| Shell of Acanthocardia spinosa from Apulia at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | Mollusca
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| Class: | |
| Order: | Veneroida
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| Superfamily: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | A. spinosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Acanthocardia spinosa (Lightfoot, 1786)
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| Synonyms | |
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The sand cockle (Acanthocardia spinosa) 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.
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 and habitat
Acanthocardia spinosa can be found in the Mediterranean Sea. This species is present in sand and mud, from low waters to 120 m. Like almost all bivalves, these mollusks are phytoplankton feeders.
References
- Repetto G., Orlando F. & Arduino G. (2005): Conchiglie del Mediterraneo, Amici del Museo "Federico Eusebio", Alba, Italy
- Biolib
- Encyclopedia of life
- World Register of Marine Species
- Shell.sinica
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q4671884 entry
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