Warty Venus Clam
NameWarty Venus Clam
Scientific NameVenus verrucosa
Common NameWarty Venus Clam
FamilyVeneridae
GenusVenus
Speciesverrucosa
Geographic DistributionEastern Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea, extending from Norway south along the European and West African coasts to Morocco.
Average Size (mm)40
Identifying FeaturesDistinguished by its strong, raised, concentric, and often irregular or 'warty' lamellae (ribs) on the exterior surface. The shell is thick, robust, and has a characteristic ovate-quadrate shape. The lunule is heart-shaped and the escutcheon is well-defined.
Dietfilter-feeder
Raritycommon
Author CitationLinnaeus, 1758
Description
The image displays a single valve of a Warty Venus Clam, a robust bivalve shell. Its surface is characterized by prominent, raised, concentric lamellae or ribs, which are somewhat irregular and give a 'warty' appearance, particularly towards the margins. The shell has an ovate to sub-quadrate shape, appearing thick and solid. The color is predominantly off-white to cream, with subtle hints of light brown or yellowish-brown banding visible in the troughs between the concentric ridges.
