Citation: Carter, R.W.G. 1977 Excesses of right-hand lamellibranch valves on Magilligan Strand. Irish Naturalists' Journal 19: 86-88
Number of Pages: 3
Volume Part: 3
Keywords: Checklist, Fauna, Littoral, Londonderry, Marine, Mollusca, Monitoring, Northern Ireland, Stranding
Abstract: This paper reports on the phenomenon of an excess of right-hand lamellibranch shells on Magilligan Strand, Co. Londonderry, and attempts to suggest why this occurs in this location. Every shell valve and fragment (> 4mm) was collected from 157 quadrats placed at 10 m intervals across the beach. All shells and fragments were identified and 'handedness' determined for most. At least 19 species were identified, 'handedness' counted and % right calculated. It was concluded that oblique waves acting on inequivalve and/or inequilateral disarticulated valves and/or bird predation produces this phenomenon.