BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Pholas dactylus
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Jacqueline Hill	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Eunice Pinn
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Pholas dactylus occurs in Britain from Kent along the south and south-west coasts including south Wales, Anglesey and Solway. Also recorded from several sites on the east coasts of Yorkshire and Northumbria and southwest Ireland.
Global distribution	Distributed from Britain south to the Iberian Peninsula, the Mediterranean and Black Sea and the Atlantic coast of Morocco.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	To 35 m
Migratory	Insufficient information
Distribution Additional Information	All boring bivalves begin excavation following settling of the larva and slowly enlarge and deepen the burrow with growth. They are forever locked within their burrows, and only the siphons project to the small surface opening (Barnes, 1980). Individuals in waterlogged wood are quite rare and often deformed (E. Pinn pers. comm.).

Substratum preferences	Bedrock Artificial (e.g. metal/wood/concrete)	Physiographic preferences	Open coast Strait / sound Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zone	Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe	Wave exposure	Insufficient information
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Insufficient information	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Tebble, 1976, Barnes, 1980, Wood, 1984, Seaward, 1990, Seaward, 1993, Seaward, 1982,