BIOTIC Species Information for Sphenia spp.
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| Researched by | Dr Paul Somerfield & Prof. Richard Warwick | Data supplied by | PML | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Sphenia spp. | Common name | A bivalve mollusc | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | W2151 | Recent Synonyms | |||||||||||||
| Phylum | Mollusca | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Pelecypoda | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Myoida | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Myina | Family | Myidae | ||||||||||||
| Genus | Sphenia | Species | |||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Howson & Picton, 1997, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Bivalved |
Feeding method | Active suspension feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Burrower |
Environmental position | Infaunal |
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| Typical food types | Phytoplankton, detritus. | Habit | Attached | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Flexibility | None (< 10 degrees) | |||||||||||||
| Fragility | Intermediate | Size | Small(1-2cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | 10 mm | Growth Rate | Not researched | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | Not researched | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Tebble, 1976, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Found on most British and Irish coasts, in particular in north-east England, the English Channel and the Irish Sea. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in north-west Europe around Britain and Ireland and further south towards the Mediterranean. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Temperate. | Depth range | MTL to 40 m. | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Coarse clean sand Fine clean sand Muddy sand Algae Crevices / fissures |
Physiographic preferences | |||||||||||||
| Biological zone | Mid Eulittoral Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral |
Wave exposure | |||||||||||||
| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) Variable (18-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Tebble, 1976, Foster-Smith, 2000, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Permanent hermaphrodite |
Developmental mechanism | Planktotrophic |
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| Reproductive Season | Insufficient information | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Regeneration potential | No | |||||||||||||
| Life span | Insufficient information | Age at reproductive maturity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Not researched | Fecundity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Insufficient information | Fertilization type | External | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | |||||||||||||||
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