Lithophaga mytuloides: Lithophaga lithophaga: shell very characteristic in form, unmistakable, elongated, cylindrical.
The umbo is small and placed in the anterior margin, back a little bit arched, ventral margin straight. Hinge without teeth. Surface with periostracum bright brown in colour with thin growth lines and above all in the ventral zone there are clear close and thin lines or little ribs in the interspaces. The varieties inflata, curia, rugosa and other ones have no taxonomic value. The inside of the valves is pearly. The average measures are 70-80 mm.
It is easily recognizable from Myoforceps arisfata (Dillwyn, 1817) as this last one has two posterior calcareous appendices covering the periostracum at the ends. Once these shells were picked up frequently since they were considered of gastronomical good quality and therefore of great economical interest. Now their picking is forbidden : they are included in the protected species.

Lithophaga mytuloides: Lithophaga lithophaga: Habitat: it lives excavating deep hollows into the calcareous rocks in the littoral zone but it lives also in bigger depths.
Distribution: it is recorded all over the Mediterranean where, in some zones, it is really in regression.