Mediterranean Cockle || Acanthocardia tuberculata

• Scientific name: Acanthocardia tuberculata
• Size: Can reach up to 7 centimeters 
• Color: Yellow, white, brown, orange, reddish
• Family: Cardiidae
• Fun fact: Some shells have sharp spines along the edges 

 

The Mediterranean Cockle Shells (Acanthocardia tuberculata) are the most sunny shells you can find on the beaches of Portugal. 

And as the name already suggested, the Mediterranean Cockle Shells is commonly found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece. The Mediterranean Cockle is a species of bivalve mollusk that is also knowns as the Rough Cockle. 

In Portugal these shells are mostly found along the coast in the southern region and are often washed up on beaches of the Algarve. The Mediterranean Cockle Shell are used in many of my pieces because of their bright color that gives that sunny feeling of summer.

Aesthetics

The shells of the Mediterranean Cockle are generally heart-shape, thick and sturdy. They have a radial ribbing pattern and some shells have sharp spines along the edges.

The spines along the edges of the Mediterranean Cockle Shell are not only decorative, but these sharp spines also serve as a defense mechanism against predators trying to open the shell. The radial ribbing on the shell provides strength and support, they also help the Mediterranean Cockle to anchor itself in sandy or muddy bottoms. 

The color of the Mediterranean Cockle Shell can vary depending on the location where it is found. The shell is usually pale beige or light brown in color, with radial ribs that may be darker in color. The interior of the shell is typically white in color. The spines along the edges of the shell are often a darker color than the rest of the shell.

Most of the Mediterranean Cockle Shell that I find along the coast of Portugal have a rich and sunny yellow-orange color and vary from the tiniest 0.5 cm till around 7 cm. 

 

Ecosystem 

Like other bivalves, the Mediterranean Cockles are filter feeders, consuming plankton and organic particles suspended in the water. This makes the Mediterranean Cockle an important species ecologically, as it helps to improve water quality with its filter-feeding behavior. The shells of the Mediterranean Cockle also provide habitat for other marine organisms, such as algae, worms and small crabs. 

The Mediterranean Cockles prefer to inhabit in shallow coastal waters and sandy or muddy substrates. They can be found buried just below the surface of the sediment.

The Mediterranean Cockle is also considered a delicacy in some countries. The Portuguese name for the Mediterranean Cockle is "berbigão”.

Berbigão is a popular seafood item in the Portuguese cuisine typically in dishes such as "Arroz de Berbigão" (rice with cockles) and "Açorda de Marisco" (a traditional seafood soup).

Ancient times

The Mediterranean Cockles have played an important role in the culture and traditions of the Mediterranean region for centuries. The Mediterranean Cockle Shells are still highly valued for their aesthetic qualities, and are often used in crafts and jewelry-making.
 
The Mediterranean Cockle Shell is a fascinating sunny shell that has both practical and decorative uses for shell lovers, while they also playing an important role in the marine ecosystem. 

Interested in a beautiful piece with Mediterranean Cockle Shells? Visit my shop here.