Acanthocardia aculeata

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.

Acanthocardia aculeata
Shell of Acanthocardia aculeata from Sicily at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Cardiida
Family:	Cardiidae
Genus:	Acanthocardia
Species:	A. aculeata
Binomial name
Acanthocardia aculeata Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Cardium aculcatum Aradas & Benoit, 1870 Cardium aculeatum Linnaeus, 1758 Cardium spinosum J. Sowerby, 1804

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:

• 
  Right valve
• 
  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.