The pod razor (Ensis siliqua) is a coastal bivalve of European waters. It is edible and has been fished commercially, especially in Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Scotland.[3]
| Pod razor | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Adapedonta |
| Superfamily: | Solenoidea |
| Family: | Pharidae |
| Genus: | Ensis |
| Species: | E. siliqua
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| Binomial name | |
| Ensis siliqua | |
| Subspecies | |
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See text | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Ensis siliqua is also known as the razor fish, razor clam or giant razor.
There is at least one subspecies: E. s. minor.[4]
Description
edit
The valves of the shell are elongated and reach a length of up to twenty-one centimetres (8.3 in). The two sides are straight and parallel. The color is creamy white, sometimes with brownish stripes, and the periostracum is olive green. It is sculptured with fine lines and growth marks can be seen. The anterior end is truncated while the posterior end is rounded.[5] It has a very large foot and is capable of burrowing in the fine, hard-packed muddy sediments that it favours. where it is associated with the starfish (Astropecten irregularis) and the common otter shell (Lutraria lutraria).[3]
Distribution and habitat
editEnsis siliqua is found in coastal areas of the north east Atlantic Ocean from the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.[5]
References
edit- ^ World Register of Marine Species
- ^ "Marine Species Identification Portal: Ensis siliqua". Retrieved 2012-02-03.
- ^ a b Consequences of hydraulic dredging for a razor clam Ensis siliqua (L.) bed in the north-west Irish Sea
- ^ "Edible Molluscs Page 7".
- ^ a b Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland