Astarte sulcata

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Astarte sulcata	Common name	A bivalve mollusc
MCS Code	W1925	Recent Synonyms	None
Phylum	Mollusca	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Pelecypoda
Subclass		Order	Veneroida
Suborder		Family	Astartidae
Genus	Astarte	Species	sulcata
Subspecies
Additional Information	None Entered
Taxonomy References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Tebble, 1976, Howson & Picton, 1997, JNCC, 1999
General Biology
Growth form	Bivalved	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder
Mobility/Movement	Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types		Habit	Free living
Bioturbator		Flexibility	None (< 10 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height	Insufficient information	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	100-1000m	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1990
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Recorded at sites in Shetland and Orkney, the Northumberland coast south to Druridge Bay; the Llyn Peninsula and the Irish Sea, south Isle of Man and the west coast of Scotland. Also recorded from Torr Head to Carlingford Lough in Ireland.
Global distribution	Found from southern Norway, south to north west Africa and the Mediterranean.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Gravel / shingle, Muddy gravel, Muddy sand, Mud	Physiographic preferences	Insufficient information
Biological zone	Insufficient information	Wave exposure	Insufficient information
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Insufficient information	Salinity	Insufficient information
Habitat Additional Information
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	I
Distribution References	Bruce et al., 1963, Foster-Smith, 2000, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Tebble, 1976, JNCC, 1999, NBN, 2002, Seaward, 1982, Seaward, 1990, Mackie et al., 1995, Hayward & Ryland, 1990
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season	Autumn - early winter	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency	Annual episodic	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	Insufficient information	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type	Insufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Insufficient information Larval settlement period Duration of larval stage
Additional Information	Slow gamete development, breed in autumn / oct - nov breeding when temps fall (Saleuddin, 1964), adhesive eggs and little or no pelagic stage (Ockelmann, 1958)
Reproduction References	Ockelmann, 1958, Saleuddin, 1964