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Acanthocardia paucicostata (G. B. Sowerby II, 1834), the poorly ribbed cockle, in the UK


Citation:
Barfield, P. (2017). First evidence of the poorly ribbed cockle, Acanthocardia paucicostata (G. B. Sowerby II, 1834) in UK waters. Journal of Conchology,  42(6), 537-539.

Below are three images of the first specimen of the poorly-ribbed cockle, Acanthocardia paucicostata recorded from UK coastal waters. The specimen was found in the west Solent area in 2016 (Barfield, 2017). The shell was given to the National Museum Wales for curation (Accession number: NMW.Z.2016.018.00001).
Picture

A second articulated, dead, specimen of A. paucicostata was collected by Sea-nature Studies in late 2017 from an intertidal site in the Solent. This specimen was slightly larger and measured 27.3mm (length) × 26.58mm (width) × 21mm (breadth). The new location was roughly, 5km from the initial find reported by Barfield (2017). Below are four images of this additional specimen of the poorly ribbed cockle, note the fine riblets or, striations between and across the ribs (bottom right). This specimen is also being curated by the National Museum Wales.
Picture

Many dead specimens have been collected subsequent to these initial finds and in autumn 2019 the first live specimen was collected indicating that the species is living in the Solent (Barfield 2021). This single live specimen was washed up by rough weather and is currently stored awaiting molecular analysis. Below is a short video of this find which is also available on the Sea-nature Studies YouTube Channel.

The overall distribution in the Solent as indicated by shells found in the intertidal death assemblage to date is relatively broad spanning some 10-15km. It is likely that the species has been present in the Solent for an extended period.
Picture
Single valve found on 26th September 2019, note the presence of keelworm tubes externally.

Picture
A relatively 'fresh' specimen found on 27th October 2019.

Picture
Four single valves and a fragment, found in close proximity in the death assemblage of a site more than 10km from the original find.

Reference
Barfield, P. (2021). First record of a live specimen of Acanthocardia paucicostata (G. B. Sowerby II, 1834) from Britain and Ireland. Porcupine Bulletin 16, 52-55. ISSN 2054-7137.
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© Copyright 2017 Peter Barfield, All rights reserved in all media.
Copyright applies for all images, video and texts so please contact me for permission to use.

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  • Home
  • Ecological Assessment
    • Services
    • Research >
      • A new lugworm (Arenicola spp.) on UK shores.
    • Habitat mapping (Salina)
  • Marine Education
    • Services
    • Publications >
      • Journal of Conchology >
        • Acanthocardia paucicostata
        • Arcuatula senhousia
      • PMNHS >
        • Bearded fireworms >
          • Video of fireworms feeding on a Mauve stinger
        • Book reviews
        • By-the-wind-sailor
        • Celtic sea-slug
        • Edible crab
        • Giant worm shell
        • Grey sea-slug
        • Lockdown, lookup
        • Marbled crab
        • Sally lightfoot crab
        • Starlet sea anemone
        • Striped dolphin
      • Mollusc World >
        • Cymbulia peronii
      • Natural history notes and observations >
        • Elysia viridis, the solar-powered sea slug
        • Dog whelk basics
      • Something for the children
    • Aeolian marine species list >
      • Anemones >
        • Actinia cari
        • Actinia equina
        • Anemonia viridis
        • Condylactis aurantiaca
        • Aiptasia mutabilis
        • Calliactis parasitica
      • Worms >
        • Hermodice carunculata
        • Sabella spallanzanii
      • Crustaceans >
        • Dardanus calidus
        • Pachygrapsus marmoratus
        • Percnon gibbesi
        • Palaemon elegans
      • Molluscs >
        • Arca noae
        • Pinna nobilis
        • Octopus vulgaris
        • Sepia officinalis
        • Cerithium vulgatum
        • Haliotis tuberculata
        • Thylacodes arenarius
        • Hexaplex trunculus
        • Stramonita haemastoma
        • Columbella rustica
        • Pleurobranchus testudinarius
        • Patella caerulea
      • Echinoderms >
        • Coscinasterias tenuispina
        • Ophidiaster ophidianus
        • Arbacia lixula
        • Paracentrotus lividus
        • Centrostephanus longispinus
        • Sphaerechinus granularis
        • Holothuria (Panningothuria) forskali
        • Holothuria (Platyperona) sanctori
      • Corals >
        • Astroides calycularis
        • Cladocora caespitosa
      • Jellyfish >
        • Pelagia noctiluca
      • Sponges >
        • Sarcotragus spinosulus
      • Fish >
        • Muraena helena
        • Synodus saurus
        • Symphodus ocellatus
        • Symphodus tinca
        • Thalassoma pavo
    • Dolphin Sightings, Aeolian Islands
  • Gallery
    • Licensing content
    • Fareham Creek, Portsmouth Harbour
    • Imerys Pool, Dorset
    • Isle of Wight >
      • Bembridge Ledges
      • Bonchurch Shore
      • White Cliff Bay
    • Montages >
      • Calendar, 2004
      • Calendar, 2006
    • North Cornwall >
      • Crackington Haven
      • Edible crab facts
      • Tregardock Beach >
        • Intertidal fauna and flora
    • Saltmarsh
    • Scotland >
      • Handa Island
      • Port of Tarbet, Sound of Handa
    • Sicily >
      • Santa Marina, Salina
    • Bronwich Foreshore
    • Skomer >
      • Benthic fauna
    • Terrestrial species >
      • Minotaur beetle (Typhaeus typhoeus)
  • Falling into holes - a sea log
  • Contact