Acanthocardia aculeata
{{Short description|Species of bivalve}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Cardiidae - Acanthocardia aculeata.JPG
| image_caption = Shell of Acanthocardia aculeata from Sicily at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano
| genus = Acanthocardia
| species = aculeata
| synonyms =
- Cardium aculcatum Aradas & Benoit, 1870
- Cardium aculeatum Linnaeus, 1758
- Cardium spinosum J. Sowerby, 1804
}}
Acanthocardia aculeata, the 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.
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.
Right and left valve of the same specimen:
File:Acanthocardia aculeata 01.jpg|Right valve
File:Acanthocardia aculeata 02.jpg|Left valve
Distribution and habitat
Acanthocardia aculeata can be found in the Mediterranean Sea and in North East Atlantic. This species is present in sublittoral muddy sands. These mollusks are phytoplankton feeders.
References
{{Reflist}}
- Repetto G., Orlando F. & Arduino G. (2005): Conchiglie del Mediterraneo, Amici del Museo "Federico Eusebio", Alba, Italy
- [https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id525173/ Biolib]
- [http://eol.org/pages/448790/overview Encyclopedia of life]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150912065510/http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=2311 Marlin]
- [http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138990 World Register of Marine Species]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1548215}}
Category:Bivalves described in 1758
Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
{{Cardiidae-stub}}