MarLIN

information on the biology of species and the ecology of habitats found around the coasts and seas of the British Isles

A bivalve mollusc (Astarte montagui)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.

Researched byCaroline Farrell Refereed byAdmin
Authority(Dillwyn, 1817)
Other common names- SynonymsAstarte abbreviata G. B. Sowerby II, 1874, Astarte angulata Woodward, 1833, Astarte compressa Montagu, 1808, Astarte globosa Møller, 1842, Astarte klinti Hopner Petersen, 2001, Astarte laurentiana Lyell, 1845, Astarte laurentiana soror Dall, 1903, Astarte multicostata MacGillivray, 1843, Astarte pulchella Jonas in Philippi, 1845, Crassina convexiuscula T. Brown, 1827, Crassina obliqua T. Brown, 1827, Nicania banksii Leach in Ross, 1819, Nicania banksii var. globosa Sars G.O., 1878, Nicania montagui Dillwyn, 1817, Nicania montagui orientalis Scarlato, 1981, Nicania striata Leach in Ross, 1819, Tridonta montagui Dillwyn, 1817, Venus compressa Montagu, 1808, Venus montacuti Turton, 1819, Venus montagui Dillwyn, 1817

Summary

Description

The shell of Tridonta montagui is broadly oval in outline, with prominent umbones centred on the mid-line, and can grow up to 1.5 cm long. The outer surface is white with a thick brownish periostracum, and sculptured with 30 to 40 fine, raised concentric ridges. The inner shell margin is smooth.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Most frequent off the north and west coasts of Britain but also recorded in the north-east.

Global distribution

-

Habitat

Found in sand and fine gravel from the sublittoral to depths of around 100 m.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • Broadly oval, equivalve shell with prominent umbones centred on the mid-line.
  • White in colour, with a thick, light or dark brown periostracum.
  • Sculpture of about 30-40 broad concentric ridges and fine concentric lines.
  • Distinct, elongate lunule.
  • Right valve with two cardinal teeth; the anterior broad, ridged or bifid and the posterior indistinct.
  • Left valve with three cardinal teeth; two anterior teeth of equal size and the third posterior tooth poorly developed and often appearing absent.
  • Adductor scars and pallial line indistinct.
  • Inner shell margin smooth.

Additional information

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Listed by

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Further information sources

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NBN WoRMS

Bibliography

  1. Hayward, P., Nelson-Smith, T. & Shields, C. 1996. Collins pocket guide. Sea shore of Britain and northern Europe. London: HarperCollins.

  2. Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. (ed.) 1995b. Handbook of the marine fauna of North-West Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  3. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E. (ed.), 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  4. JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee), 1999. Marine Environment Resource Mapping And Information Database (MERMAID): Marine Nature Conservation Review Survey Database. [on-line] http://www.jncc.gov.uk/mermaid,

  5. National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas website. Available from: http://www.nbnatlas.org.  Accessed 01 April 2017

  6. Picton, B.E. & Costello, M.J., 1998. BioMar biotope viewer: a guide to marine habitats, fauna and flora of Britain and Ireland. [CD-ROM] Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin., http://www.itsligo.ie/biomar/

  7. Tebble, N., 1976. British Bivalve Seashells. A Handbook for Identification, 2nd ed. Edinburgh: British Museum (Natural History), Her Majesty's Stationary Office.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Farrell, C. 2006. Astarte montagui A bivalve mollusc. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Available from: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2163

Last Updated: 26/01/2006