1

Topic: Addition of English Name for Marine Razor Shell

Dear Chris,

Could I possibly request the addition of an English Name of "Sword Razor Shell" for Ensis magnus (syn. Ensis arcuatus)) please.

Many thanks.

Steve

Steve J. McWilliam
www.rECOrd-LRC.co.uk
www.stevemcwilliam.co.uk/guitar/

2

Re: Addition of English Name for Marine Razor Shell

Hi Steve

I see the problem, in that magnus currently doesn't have a common name, but is it a fairly new common name for magus? The trouble is that the only references I can find out there for "Sword Razor Shell" is as a common name for Ensis siliqua, which is what we have as "Pod Razor Shell". Is there a definitive, up to date book on these to help us decide?

Thanks
Chris R.

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)

3

Re: Addition of English Name for Marine Razor Shell

Hi Chris,

I am taking it from Dr Ian Wallace's "Shell Guide" published on the rECOrd website for the Liverpool Bay Marine Recording Partnership (you probably know Ian quite well from his role as National Caddisfly Recorder and from his work at Liverpool Museum).  In Ian's guide to shells he writes:

Version of February 2012. Prepared by Ian Wallace, World Museum, for the Liverpool Bay Marine Recording Partnership
Sword Razor Ensis arcuatus  -  Length to width ratio of the mature shell - More than 6.5 - In 2011 all Sword Razors collected from local beaches were worn, i.e. not freshly dead. All fresh Curved Razors were the American Razor suggesting at least a partial take-over by the new alien.

Interestingly, if one enters "Sword Razor Shell" into Google.co.uk the first entry one gets is:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razor_shell and this depicts Ensis arcuatus on the right-hand side of the page.

This page shows E.magnus (syn. E.arcuatus) as the Sword Razor:  http://www.seawater.no/fauna/mollusca/magnus.html  -  as does this site:  http://www.aphotomarine.com/bivalve_ens … razor.html --  and here:  http://scienceindex.com/stories/3511224 … eters.html

Hope those sites above help.

Cheers.

Steve

Steve J. McWilliam
www.rECOrd-LRC.co.uk
www.stevemcwilliam.co.uk/guitar/

4

Re: Addition of English Name for Marine Razor Shell

Hi Steve

Yes, it's an odd one because there seems to be quite a lot of confusion about the application of that name. I'd just like to make sure that we get the correct one because if we misattribute it then it could lead to some bad records. I'm playing safe at the moment by not adding it because at least without the common name the person has to enter the scientific name of the species they want to record and that will hopefully be more accurate. If the name appears in a published checklist at some time then it would at least add some context to the name.

Funnily enough I was on the programme with Ian Wallace on Saturday, as we both spoke at the Beds Nat.Hist.Soc.'s Neglected Insects Conference :)

Best wishes,
Chris R.

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)

5

Re: Addition of English Name for Marine Razor Shell

OK Chris - that is fine until more evidence appears.

Yes, I knew you were on the bill with Ian yesterday and saw the photos posted on Facebook this morning.  Sounds like it was a good day.

Cheers.

Steve

Steve J. McWilliam
www.rECOrd-LRC.co.uk
www.stevemcwilliam.co.uk/guitar/