APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

A-P-H-O-T-O Wildlife Stock Image Library
Acanthocardia echinata (Linnaeus, 1758) - Prickly cockle (Marine bivalves)
Scroll down and rollover titles to change screen image or click on title to view image.
Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- shell / valve 1

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- shell / valve 2

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- shell / valve 3

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- shell / valve 4

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- shell / valve interior 1

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- shell / valve interior 2

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- whole shell 1

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- whole shell side view 1

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- whole shell / hinges 1

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- whole shell 2

Prickly cockle
Acanthocardia echinata
- whole shell side view 2

Perhaps the largest cockle to be found on our shores and quite unmistakeable, for it is a larger, more chunkier, version of the familiar Common cockle. It favours similar habitats also, and can be found in sandy bays mainly across the south of the county. Par Beach, near St. Austell, Cornwall is a particularly good place to find them and where the images were taken. If the shells are not worn, look out for the teeth near the front of the shell.

Scientific and European Names:
Acanthocardia echinata, Prickly cockle, Pigghjerteskjell, Gedoornde Hartschelp, Bucarde, Dornige Herzmuschel, Stachelige Herzmuschel.

Acanthocardia echinata Prickly cockle Marine Bivalve Images
The main objective of this website is in furthering environmental awareness and education through the medium of photography. To increase awareness and access to the wildlife of the region and help
people find and identify it. Sometimes the difference between species is obvious but many species can only be determined by observing microscopic characteristics that are specific to any one species.