Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Bivalvia

Order: Myoida

Family: Myidae

Scientific name: Mya arenaria

 

Norwegian: vanlig sandskjell

(Hitra - Sør-Trøndelag / 0 meters / 4.07.2004)

Distribution: The sand gaper lives buried in mud or sandy substrate along the entire Norwegian coast. It can be found on any diveable depth.

Characteristics: The off-white, yellow, grey or light brown shell can reach a diameter of 15 cm. It is easily distinguished from the blunt gaper by the fact that the shell is not truncated.

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