Sydney cockle

Sydney cockle (NSW), or ark cockle (Queensland), Anadara trapezia, is an estuarine filter-feeding bivalve. Its calcareous, heavily-ribbed, shell can grow to approximately 7 to 8 cm across. Its current range is along the east coast of Australia, from Queensland to Victoria. It has previously existed in Western Australia, South Australia, and the coast of New Zealand during the Middle Holocene. It has been used as a bioindicator/indicator species to study levels of the metals selenium, copper and cadmium.

Additional recommended knowledge

Recognize and detect the effects of electrostatic charges on your balance

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

References and further reading

• Murray-Wallace, C.V., Beu, A.G., Kendrick, G.W., Brown, L.J., Belperio A.P. and Sherwood, J.E. (2000) Palaeoclimatic implications of the occurrence of the arcoid bivalve 'Anadara trapezia' (Deshayes) in the Quaternary of Australasia. Quaternary Science Reviews 19 559-590
• Jolley, D. F., Maher, W. A. and Kyd, J. (2004) Selenium accumulation in the cockle 'Anadara trapezia'. Environmental Pollution 132:2 203-212