Pretty little bivalve, new to me, any ideas ??

[petergalileo]

Here you go <img src="http://www.seagullparts.co.uk/shell.jpg" alt="http://www.seagullparts.co.uk/shell.jpg" style="border:0" />

Bit smaller than your average sized cockel, much prettier.

Found Harwich, Essex near to the dissused Low Lighthouse on Saturday.

Any ideas ? been looking for shells around the area on and off for 30 years and never found one of these before.

Peter

[paul monfils]

Not absolutely certain but I think it may be Tapes philippinarum, which has been introduced into several areas of Europe from its original home in Southeast Asia. It has also been introduced into the western United States.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2007-09-08 04:58:39 --</span>

[dave r]

Yes, it is Ruditapes philippinarum, I first found it in the Thames estuary at Reculver a few years ago.It is all over the estuary now and spreading! It also occurs in the Solent and on the French, Belgian and Dutch coasts.
Dave.