Glycymeris nummaria Temporal range: | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Right valve of Glycymeris nummaria | |
![]() | |
Left valve of Glycymeris nummaria | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Arcida |
Family: | Glycymerididae |
Genus: | Glycymeris |
Species: | G. nummaria |
Binomial name | |
Glycymeris nummaria |
Glycymeris nummaria is a species of saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Glycymerididae, the bittersweet clams.
Glycymeris nummaria var. insubrica
Right and left valve of the same specimen:
The shell of an adult Glycymeris nummaria can be as large as 60 millimetres (2.4 in). It is quite thick, almost circular in shape, with a sculpture of radiating striae and fine concentric lines. The surface is dull and may be dark or pale brown, but also whitish-yellowish. Inside of the shell is glossy, white or pale yellow, often with irregular brown markings.
This species is widespread from Norway to the Mediterranean Sea. It lives in sandy-muddy gravels offshore to depths of about 100 metres (330 ft).