Atrina fragilis
| Fan mussel | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Pterioida |
| Family: | Pinnidae |
| Genus: | Atrina |
| Species: | A. fragilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Atrina fragilis (Pennant, 1777) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Pinna fragilis | |
The fan mussel, Atrina fragilis, is a species of large saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Pinnidae, the pen shells.
The fan mussel is one of the largest (30 to 48 cm long) European bivalve molluscs. It is one of the rarest species of marine mollusc in the United Kingdom (UK).
Description
The shell of the fan mussel tapers to a point at the umbos, and is very brittle. It is yellowish to dark brown with blackish patches. The two valves are equal and triangular in outline, with prominent gapes. The shell surface has a sculpture of concentric lines and 8 to 12 ribs, which may have fluted spines. Shells can reach 48 cm in length, and the largest individuals may be 10 to 12 years old.
Biology
This species lives with the narrow half of its shell anchored in the sediment, but the large part of the fragile shell protrudes from the sea floor. Thus, unfortunately it is vulnerable to fishing. The species is also vulnerable to industrial activity.
The shells are anchored to the sand by fine gold-coloured silk produced by special glands. This silk or byssus are fine threads which historically was used to make special royal fabrics. This was called Pinna silk or sea silk, although the species more frequently used was Pinna nobilis of the Mediterranean.
Conservation
The fan mussel is a UK Priority Species for conservation. This species is protected in the United Kingdom under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from killing and injuring, possession and sale since 1998.[1]
Footnotes
- ↑ Protection for wild animals on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Website accessed 7 August 2009.
References
- Anon, 1999 Atrina fragilis (a fan shell). Species Action Plan. In UK Biodiversity Group. Tranche 2 Action Plans. English Nature for the UK Biodiversity Group, Peterborough
- Simunovic, A, Piccinetti, C., Bartulovic, M, and Grubelic, I 2001 Distribution of Atrina fragilis (Pennant, 1777) (Pinnidae, Mollusca Bivalvia) in the Adriatic Sea. Acta Adriatica 42(1): 49-59
- Woodward F R 1985. The Fan-mussel, Pinna fragilis Pennant in Scotland. Glasgow Naturalist 21: 63-69.