Tuesday 18 June
Razor shell (Ensis ensis)
Top facts
- The razor shell is named for its uncanny resemblance to a cut throat razor.
- Razor shells live burrowed deep within the sand or sediment and are rarely seen alive.
- The razor shell is thought to live for up to 10 years or more.
- A suspension feeder, the razor shell obtains nutrients from particles in the water.
Razor shell fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Razor shell description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Mollusca |
| Class | Pelycopoda |
| Order | Veneroida |
| Family | Pharidae |
| Genus | Ensis (1) |
This razor shell (Ensis ensis) is a common, burrowing mollusc, which has an elongated fragile and narrow shell shaped like a cut-throat razor, hence the common name (3). The two halves of the shell, known as valves, are somewhat curved; they have a smooth, whitish outer surface with reddish or purplish-brown markings and are covered by an olive-green layer of protein known as the periostracum. The inner surface of the valves is white with a purple hue. The large muscular foot is reddish-brown in colour (2).
- Size
- Shell length: up to 125 mm (2)
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Related species
Razor shell biology
Razor shells are deep burrowers and are rarely seen alive; when disturbed they rapidly move down deeper into the sediment (2). They typically position themselves so that two short tubes known as 'siphons' protrude above the surface of the sediment, allowing the mollusc to draw in a respiratory current of water into the body via one siphon, and out via the second. Food is also extracted from this current; this species is a suspension feeder, extracting particles of organic matter from the water (4). The presence of this razor shell in the sediment can be detected by characteristic holes in the sand, similar to keyholes, which are made by the siphons (2).
Maturity is reached after three years and breeding takes place during spring. The larvae live in the plankton for around a month before settling (2). The life span is thought to be around 10 years (2).
TopRazor shell range
Found around the coasts of Britain, and from Norway to the Atlantic coasts of Spain, as well as parts of the Mediterranean (4).
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Species with a similar range
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You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Razor shell habitat
This razor shell burrows in sand or muddy sand from the extreme low water mark to depths of around 60 m (4).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Razor shell status
Common and widespread (2).
TopRazor shell threats
Not currently threatened.
TopRazor shell conservation
No conservation action has been targeted at this species.
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|
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Find out more
For more on this species see the Marine Life Information Network species account, available from:
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Ensisspp..htm
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This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
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Glossary
- Larvae
- Stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
- Plankton
- Aquatic organisms that drift with water movements; may be either phytoplankton (plants), or zooplankton (animals).
References
-
National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (March, 2003)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/ - Fish, J.D. and Fish, S. (1996) A student’s guide to the seashore. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Buczacki, S. (2002) Fauna Britannica. Hamlyn, London.
-
Hill, J. M 2000. Ensis spp. Razor shell. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth:Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. (November, 2002)
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Ensisspp..htm
More »Related species
This species is featured in:
This is a UK sandy shore species. Visit our habitat page to learn more.
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Image credit
Razor shell
© lauriecampbell.com
Laurie Campbell Photography
Hestia
Paxton
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1TE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1289 386 736
Fax: +44 (0) 1289 386 746
info@lauriecampbell.com
http://www.lauriecampbell.com
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