Deep-Sea taxon details
Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767)
138802 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:138802)
accepted
Species
Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) · unaccepted > superseded combination
marine, brackish, fresh, terrestrial
recent + fossil
(of ) Linnaeus, C. (1767). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae: secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Ed. 12. 1., Regnum Animale. 1 & 2. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature: according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places. Ed. 12. 1., Animal Kingdom. 1 & 2]. <em>Holmiae [Stockholm], Laurentii Salvii.</em> pp. 1-532 [1766] pp. 533-1327 [1767]., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/83650#5
page(s): 1131 [details]
page(s): 1131 [details]
Distribution Arctic to Cape Hatteras
Distribution Arctic to Cape Hatteras [details]
MolluscaBase eds. (2025). MolluscaBase. Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767). Accessed through: Glover, A.G.; Higgs, N.; Horton, T. (2025) World Register of Deep-Sea species (WoRDSS) at: https://www.marinespecies.org/deepsea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138802 on 2026-03-22
Glover, A.G.; Higgs, N.; Horton, T. (2026). World Register of Deep-Sea species (WoRDSS). Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767). Accessed at: https://www.marinespecies.org/deepsea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138802 on 2026-03-22
original description
(of ) Linnaeus, C. (1767). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae: secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Ed. 12. 1., Regnum Animale. 1 & 2. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature: according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places. Ed. 12. 1., Animal Kingdom. 1 & 2]. <em>Holmiae [Stockholm], Laurentii Salvii.</em> pp. 1-532 [1766] pp. 533-1327 [1767]., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/83650#5
page(s): 1131 [details]
basis of record Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca. in: Costello, M.J. et al. (eds), European Register of Marine Species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. <em>Patrimoines Naturels.</em> 50: 180-213., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/ocrd/254404.pdf [details]
additional source Abbott, R. T. (1974). <i>American seashells. The marine Mollusca of the Atlantic and Pacific coast of North America</i>. ed. 2. Van Nostrand, New York. 663 pp., 24 pls. [October 1974]. (look up in IMIS) [details]
additional source Witbaard R., Duineveld G.C.A. & de Wilde P.A.W.J. (1997). A long-term growth record derived from <i>Arctica islandica</i> (Mollusca, Bivalvia) from the Fladen Ground (Northern North Sea). <i>Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK 77</i>: 801-816, available online at https://doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400036201 [details]
additional source Witbaard R., Duineveld G.C.A. & de Wilde P.A.W.J. (1999). Geographical differences in growth rates of <i>Arctica islandica</i> (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from the North Sea and adjacent waters. <i>Journal of tha Marine Biological Association of the UK 79</i>: 907-915, available online at https://doi.org/10.1017/s0025315498001076 [details]
additional source Huber, M. (2010). <i>Compendium of bivalves. A full-color guide to 3,300 of the world's marine bivalves. A status on Bivalvia after 250 years of research</i>. Hackenheim: ConchBooks. 901 pp., 1 CD-ROM. (look up in IMIS) [details]
additional source Witbaard, R. & Klein, R. (1994). Long-term trends on the effects of the southern North Sea beamtrawl fishery on the bivalve mollusc <i>Arctica islandica</i> L. (Mollusca, Bivalvia). <em>ICES Journal of Marine Science.</em> 51(1): 99-105., available online at https://doi.org/10.1006/jmsc.1994.1009 [details]
additional source Jones, D. S. (1979). The nemertean, <i>Malacobdella grossa</i>, in the ocean quahog, <i>Arctica islandica</i> (Bivalvia). <em>The Nautilus.</em> 93(1): 29-30, fig. 1., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/34226 [details] Available for editors
additional source Dahlgren, T. G.; Weinberg, J. R.; Halanych, K. M. (2000). Phylogeography of the ocean quahog (<i>Arctica islandica</i>): influences of paleoclimate on genetic diversity and species range. <em>Marine Biology.</em> 137(3): 487-495., available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270000342 [details] Available for editors
additional source Lutz, R. A.; Mann, R.; Goodsell, J. G.; Castagna, M. (1982). Larval and early post-larval development of <i>Arctica Islandica</i>. <em>Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.</em> 62(4): 745-769., available online at https://doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400070314 [details] Available for editors
additional source Russell, H. D. (1955). A new clam industry in New England. <em>The Nautilus.</em> 69(2): 53-56., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8525218 [details]
additional source Landers, W. S. (1976). Reproduction and early development of the ocean quahog, <i>Arctica islandica</i>, in the laboratory. <em>The Nautilus.</em> 90(2): 88-92, figs. 1-3., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8276452 [details]
additional source Hawkins, C. M. & Angus, R. B. (1986). Preliminary observations on predation on ocean quahaugs, <i>Arctica islandica</i>, by Atlantic wolffish <i>Anarhichas lupus</i>. <em>The Nautilus.</em> 100(4): 126-129., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8277364 [details]
page(s): 1131 [details]
basis of record Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca. in: Costello, M.J. et al. (eds), European Register of Marine Species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. <em>Patrimoines Naturels.</em> 50: 180-213., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/ocrd/254404.pdf [details]
additional source Abbott, R. T. (1974). <i>American seashells. The marine Mollusca of the Atlantic and Pacific coast of North America</i>. ed. 2. Van Nostrand, New York. 663 pp., 24 pls. [October 1974]. (look up in IMIS) [details]
additional source Witbaard R., Duineveld G.C.A. & de Wilde P.A.W.J. (1997). A long-term growth record derived from <i>Arctica islandica</i> (Mollusca, Bivalvia) from the Fladen Ground (Northern North Sea). <i>Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK 77</i>: 801-816, available online at https://doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400036201 [details]
additional source Witbaard R., Duineveld G.C.A. & de Wilde P.A.W.J. (1999). Geographical differences in growth rates of <i>Arctica islandica</i> (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from the North Sea and adjacent waters. <i>Journal of tha Marine Biological Association of the UK 79</i>: 907-915, available online at https://doi.org/10.1017/s0025315498001076 [details]
additional source Huber, M. (2010). <i>Compendium of bivalves. A full-color guide to 3,300 of the world's marine bivalves. A status on Bivalvia after 250 years of research</i>. Hackenheim: ConchBooks. 901 pp., 1 CD-ROM. (look up in IMIS) [details]
additional source Witbaard, R. & Klein, R. (1994). Long-term trends on the effects of the southern North Sea beamtrawl fishery on the bivalve mollusc <i>Arctica islandica</i> L. (Mollusca, Bivalvia). <em>ICES Journal of Marine Science.</em> 51(1): 99-105., available online at https://doi.org/10.1006/jmsc.1994.1009 [details]
additional source Jones, D. S. (1979). The nemertean, <i>Malacobdella grossa</i>, in the ocean quahog, <i>Arctica islandica</i> (Bivalvia). <em>The Nautilus.</em> 93(1): 29-30, fig. 1., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/34226 [details] Available for editors
additional source Dahlgren, T. G.; Weinberg, J. R.; Halanych, K. M. (2000). Phylogeography of the ocean quahog (<i>Arctica islandica</i>): influences of paleoclimate on genetic diversity and species range. <em>Marine Biology.</em> 137(3): 487-495., available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270000342 [details] Available for editors
additional source Lutz, R. A.; Mann, R.; Goodsell, J. G.; Castagna, M. (1982). Larval and early post-larval development of <i>Arctica Islandica</i>. <em>Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.</em> 62(4): 745-769., available online at https://doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400070314 [details] Available for editors
additional source Russell, H. D. (1955). A new clam industry in New England. <em>The Nautilus.</em> 69(2): 53-56., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8525218 [details]
additional source Landers, W. S. (1976). Reproduction and early development of the ocean quahog, <i>Arctica islandica</i>, in the laboratory. <em>The Nautilus.</em> 90(2): 88-92, figs. 1-3., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8276452 [details]
additional source Hawkins, C. M. & Angus, R. B. (1986). Preliminary observations on predation on ocean quahaugs, <i>Arctica islandica</i>, by Atlantic wolffish <i>Anarhichas lupus</i>. <em>The Nautilus.</em> 100(4): 126-129., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8277364 [details]
Present Inaccurate Introduced: alien Containing type locality
Unreviewed
Dimensions reaches 7.5 to 12.5 cm in size [details]Distribution Arctic to Cape Hatteras [details]
Habitat infralittoral and circalittoral of the Gulf and estuary [details]
Reproduction separate sexes, usually not dimorphic in shell structure; fertilization occurs within the mantle cavity anf young hatch as pelagic larvae (generalized for group) [details]
Synonymy Originally described as Venus islandica Linnaeus, 1767. [details]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Danish | molboøsters | [details] |
| Dutch | noordkromp | [details] |
| English | ocean quahogIcelandic cyprineIceland cyprina | [details] |
| French | cyprine d'Islande | [details] |
| German | Islandmuschel | [details] |
| Italian | vongola oceanica | [details] |
| Norwegian | kuskjell | [details] |
| Norwegian Bokmål | kuskjell | [details] |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | kuskjel | [details] |
| Russian | циприна исландская | [details] |
| Spanish | almeja de Islandia | [details] |
| Turkish | deniz tarağı | [details] |
BIOTIC
Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland
Marine Life Information Network - UK
To Barcode of Life (25 barcodes)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (520 publications) (from synonym Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (75 publications)
To Conchology (Cyprina islandica) (from synonym Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767))
To Dyntaxa
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Arctica islandica)
To GenBank (199 nucleotides; 168 proteins)
To Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI)
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Belgium, Antwerpen, Berchem)
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Canada, Nova Scotia, Digby, 10-15 km off Digby N...
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Netherlands, Friesland, Vlieland, collected 1937...
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Netherlands, Zeeland, Tholen, Gorishoek, sampled...
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Norway, Nordland, Lofoten Islands, ex coll. J. T...
To Marine Bivalves of the British Isles webpage at National Museum of Wales
To PESI
To PESI (from synonym Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767))
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Mollusca Collection
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Mollusca Collection (from synonym Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767))
To Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (YPM IZ 033067)
To ITIS
Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland
Marine Life Information Network - UK
To Barcode of Life (25 barcodes)
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (520 publications) (from synonym Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767))
To Biodiversity Heritage Library (75 publications)
To Conchology (Cyprina islandica) (from synonym Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767))
To Dyntaxa
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Arctica islandica)
To GenBank (199 nucleotides; 168 proteins)
To Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI)
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Belgium, Antwerpen, Berchem)
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Canada, Nova Scotia, Digby, 10-15 km off Digby N...
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Netherlands, Friesland, Vlieland, collected 1937...
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Netherlands, Zeeland, Tholen, Gorishoek, sampled...
To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Norway, Nordland, Lofoten Islands, ex coll. J. T...
To Marine Bivalves of the British Isles webpage at National Museum of Wales
To PESI
To PESI (from synonym Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767))
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Mollusca Collection
To USNM Invertebrate Zoology Mollusca Collection (from synonym Cyprina islandica (Linnaeus, 1767))
To Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (YPM IZ 033067)
To ITIS
.jpg "To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Netherlands, Friesland, Vlieland, collected 1937...")
.jpg "To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Netherlands, Zeeland, Tholen, Gorishoek, sampled...")
.jpg "To Malacopics (Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) Norway, Nordland, Lofoten Islands, ex coll. J. T...")
