Ensis spp.

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Ensis spp.	Common name	Razor shell
MCS Code		Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Mollusca	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Bivalvia
Subclass		Order	Veneroida
Suborder		Family	Pharidae
Genus	Ensis	Species
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Howlett, 1990, JNCC, 1999
General Biology
Growth form		Feeding method
Mobility/Movement		Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types		Habit
Bioturbator		Flexibility
Fragility		Size	Medium(11-20 cm)
Height		Growth Rate
Adult dispersal potential		Dependency
Sociability
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Henderson & Richardson, 1994, Robinson & Richardson, 1998, Armonies & Reise, 1999, Hayward & Ryland, 1990
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	All Great British coast
Global distribution
Biogeographic range		Depth range
Migratory
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences		Physiographic preferences
Biological zone		Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity
Habitat Additional Information
Distribution References	Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Holme, 1954, Henderson & Richardson, 1994, Armonies & Reise, 1999, Hayward & Ryland, 1990
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type		Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season		Reproductive Location
Reproductive frequency		Regeneration potential	No
Life span	11-20 years	Age at reproductive maturity	3-5 years
Generation time		Fecundity	>1 million
Egg/propagule size	70 mm diameter	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Larval settlement period Duration of larval stage 30 days
Additional Information	Ensis is a highly diverse genus in terms of life-history traits. Ensis macha is thought to produce 14.7 - 19.6 million eggs over it's lifetime. Ensis ensis reaches sexual maturity at 3-4 years, while Ensis siliqua takes only 1 year.
Reproduction References	Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Henderson & Richardson, 1994, Armonies & Reise, 1999, Avellanal et al., 2002, Gaspar & Monteiro, 1998, Fahy & Gaffney, 2001, Newell & Newell, 1977, Palmer, 2004