BIOTIC Species Information for Ensis spp.
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
| Researched by | Lizzie Tyler |
Data supplied by | University of Sheffield |
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. |
| |
| Taxonomy |
|---|
| Scientific name | Ensis spp. |
Common name | Razor shell |
| MCS Code | |
Recent Synonyms | |
|
| Phylum | Mollusca |
Subphylum | |
| Superclass | |
Class | Bivalvia |
| Subclass | |
Order | Veneroida |
| Suborder | |
Family | Pharidae |
| Genus | Ensis |
Species | |
| Subspecies | |
| |
|
| Additional Information | |
| Taxonomy References |
Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Howlett, 1990, JNCC, 1999, |
| General Biology |
|---|
| Growth form | |
Feeding method | |
| Mobility/Movement | |
Environmental position | Infaunal
|
| Typical food types | |
Habit | |
| Bioturbator | |
Flexibility | |
| Fragility | |
Size | Medium(11-20 cm) |
| Height | |
Growth Rate | |
| Adult dispersal potential | |
Dependency | |
| Sociability | |
| |
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No |
| |
| General Biology Additional Information | |
| Biology References |
Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Henderson & Richardson, 1994, Robinson & Richardson, 1998, Armonies & Reise, 1999, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, |
| Distribution and Habitat |
|---|
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | All Great British coast |
| Global distribution | |
| Biogeographic range | |
Depth range | |
| Migratory | |
| |
| Distribution Additional Information | |
|
| Substratum preferences | |
Physiographic preferences | |
| Biological zone | |
Wave exposure | |
| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | |
Salinity | |
| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |
| Distribution References |
Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Holme, 1954, Henderson & Richardson, 1994, Armonies & Reise, 1999, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, |
| Reproduction/Life History |
|---|
| Reproductive type | |
Developmental mechanism | Planktotrophic
|
| Reproductive Season | |
Reproductive Location | |
| Reproductive frequency | |
Regeneration potential |
No |
| Life span | 11-20 years |
Age at reproductive maturity | 3-5 years |
| Generation time | |
Fecundity | >1 million |
| Egg/propagule size | 70 mm diameter |
Fertilization type | External |
| Larvae/Juveniles |
| Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential | |
Larval settlement period | |
| Duration of larval stage | 30 days |
| |
|
| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Ensis is a highly diverse genus in terms of life-history traits. Ensis macha is thought to produce 14.7 - 19.6 million eggs over it's lifetime. Ensis ensis reaches sexual maturity at 3-4 years, while Ensis siliqua takes only 1 year. |
| Reproduction References |
Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Henderson & Richardson, 1994, Armonies & Reise, 1999, Avellanal et al., 2002, Gaspar & Monteiro, 1998, Fahy & Gaffney, 2001, Newell & Newell, 1977, Palmer, 2004, |
BIOTIC - Biological Traits Information Catalogue
BIOTIC (Biological Traits Information Catalogue) by MarLIN (Marine Life Information Network) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at http://www.marlin.ac.uk/termsandconditions. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own terms and conditions and they may or may not be available for reuse. Based on a work at www.marlin.ac.uk.