DISTRIBUTION MAP

DISTRIBUTION

Distributed in the North-east Atlantic from the British Islands and southwards to North-west Africa. Also present in the Mediterranean.

ECOLOGY

Species usually found buried in sandy and muddy bottoms on the lower shore and shallow sub-tidal regions. It is a filter-feeding species of plankton and microorganisms.

FISHERIES

Mainly caught in dredge fisheries and occasionally bottom trawl fisheries.

DID YOU KNOW

One of the carpet shell species present along the European coastline, the Japanese carpet shell (Ruditapes philippinarum) is an invasive species native to the western Pacific Ocean.