Minute turton
NameMinute turton
Scientific NameTurtonia minuta
Common NameMinute turton
FamilyCyamiidae
GenusTurtonia
Speciesminuta
Geographic DistributionNorth Atlantic Ocean, including the coasts of Europe (e.g., British Isles, Scandinavia, France) and occasionally reported from eastern North America. It is a cold-water species.
Habitatintertidal
Average Size (mm)1-2.5
Identifying FeaturesIts extremely small size (1-2.5 mm), ovate-subquadrate and inflated shape, and often translucent, pearly shell are key. The slightly anterior umbones and the habitat preference (intertidal, associated with algae/crevices) are also characteristic.
Rarityrare
Author Citation(Fabricius, 1780)
Description
These are extremely small, bivalve shells, typically ovate to sub-quadrate in shape, and somewhat inflated. They exhibit a range of colors from translucent whitish to light brown or purplish, often with a pearly interior. The shells are equivalve and inequilateral, with slightly anterior umbones. Their minute size makes them easily overlooked.
