Tellinocyclas tellinoides

Tellinocyclas tellinoides

(A. Férussac, 1822)

Common name Clam
Fossil group Molluscs
Order Venerida
Family Cyrenidae
Genus Tellinocyclas
Taxonomic status Accepted
Geological age Ypresian

Summary

Tellinocyclas tellinoides was a relatively small cyrenid bivalve adapted to low-salinity marginal-water settings. It probably lived shallowly within soft sediment and used its gills for suspension feeding.

Compared with robust cyrenids, its valves are thinner and more laterally compressed, making outline and delicate hinge characters especially useful.

Quick Identification

Look for: a small, thin, laterally compressed oval clam valve with a low umbo, fine concentric growth lines and a delicate cyrenid hinge.

Diagnostic Features

  • Valve transversely elongate to oval rather than strongly triangular.
  • Shell relatively thin and laterally compressed.
  • Umbone low and only modestly raised above the dorsal margin.
  • Exterior mainly smooth with fine concentric growth lines.
  • Heterodont hinge is more delicate than that of Loxoptychodon cuneiformis.

Fossil Details

Typical size
About 17 mm.
Fossil material
Shell, Internal Mould / Cast
Preservation
The thin valves are prone to edge loss, cracking and hinge damage. Internal moulds may retain the general outline but usually lose the delicate hinge characters required for confident species identification.

Similar Species

Recorded Fossil Sites

Synonyms & Previous Names

Corbicula tellinoides; Corbicula (Tellinocyclas) tellinoides

References

  • Rundle, A. J. (1970). Report of a Field Meeting to Abbey Wood, Kent. Tertiary Times, 1, 20–23 View reference
  • Spijkerman, E.; van Nieulande, F. A. D.; Wesselingh, F. P.; Reich, S.; Tracey, S. (2015). Pourcy (Paris Basin, France): preliminary assessment of an early Eocene NW European tropical coastal environment from molluscs and vertebrate fossils. Cainozoic Research, 15(1–2), 155–180 View reference
Last Reviewed
22 August 2026 Reviewed by Sam Harris