Lamp Shell - Terebratulina retusa

Characteristics:

The maximum shell width is 3 cm. The shell has 11 to 14 radial ribs. The white shells are usually covered by a thick layer of a protein-based substance. The ventral valve has a small hole where a stalk extends to attach the animal to the substrate. Similar species in Norway are Macandrevia cranium and T. septentrionalis.

Habitat:

This, the most common lamp shell in Norway, is most frequent on hard substrate, deeper than 30 meters. At rare occasions it can be found as shallow as 15 meters.

Distribution:

This lamp shell is widespread in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean.