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Elliptic Trough Shell

Spisula elliptica (T. Brown 1827)

Biology

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Because it has been confused with S. subtruncata for a long time, little is known about the reproduction of S. elliptica. lt has a planktonic larval development and is a suspension feeder (Wolff, 1973).

Reference

Holtmann, S.E.; Groenewold, A.; Schrader, K.H.M.; Asjes, J.; Craeymeersch, J.A.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; van Bostelen, A.J.; van der Meer, J. (1996). Atlas of the zoobenthos of the Dutch continental shelf. Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-369-4301-9. 243 pp.

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Distribution

provided by World Register of Marine Species
S. elliptica has only been found at some locations south of 54'N in the Southern Bight and shows a marked concentration in big patches. The species is not present in the brackish waters. While the closely resembling species S. subtruncata is more common near the shore, S. elliptica also lives in more offshore parts. This distribution pattern has also been reported in an earlier investigation in 1964 (Eisma, 1966).

Reference

Holtmann, S.E.; Groenewold, A.; Schrader, K.H.M.; Asjes, J.; Craeymeersch, J.A.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; van Bostelen, A.J.; van der Meer, J. (1996). Atlas of the zoobenthos of the Dutch continental shelf. Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-369-4301-9. 243 pp.

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cc-by-4.0
copyright
WoRMS Editorial Board
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Habitat

provided by World Register of Marine Species
S. elliptica occurs in various types of sediment, viz. gravel, medium to fine sand and muddy sand (Tebble, 1966; Wolff, 1973).

Reference

Holtmann, S.E.; Groenewold, A.; Schrader, K.H.M.; Asjes, J.; Craeymeersch, J.A.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; van Bostelen, A.J.; van der Meer, J. (1996). Atlas of the zoobenthos of the Dutch continental shelf. Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-369-4301-9. 243 pp.

license
cc-by-4.0
copyright
WoRMS Editorial Board
contributor
[email]

Morphology

provided by World Register of Marine Species
S. elliptica has a thick and strong shell, subtriangular but distinctly asymmetrical in outline. large specimens reach up to 32 mm in length. The sculpture consists of fine concentric lines and grooves. The growth stages are clear. The shell is dirty white to cream in colour, with a glossy, white inner surface (Tebble, 1966; Wolff, 1973; Hayward & Ryland, 1990).

Reference

Holtmann, S.E.; Groenewold, A.; Schrader, K.H.M.; Asjes, J.; Craeymeersch, J.A.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; van Bostelen, A.J.; van der Meer, J. (1996). Atlas of the zoobenthos of the Dutch continental shelf. Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-369-4301-9. 243 pp.

license
cc-by-4.0
copyright
WoRMS Editorial Board
contributor
[email]