Laternula elliptica is one of the largest and most widely distributed antarctic bivalves. Unlike almost all other antarctic Mollusca it is a predominantly shallow-water form. It has been collected in depths from 1-508 m, but almost all live-collected specimens have been taken from depths shallower than 100 m, and it is probably commonest shallower than 20 m. Completely circumantarctic in distribution, it is also known from the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetlands, South Orkneys and South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia and Kerguelen. It does not extend as far north as the Falklands nor southern South America.

REMARKS: Ralph and Maxwell (1977) studied the growth of this species and showed that it achieved a length of approximately 90 mm in 12-13 years. They also give some information on its deep burrowing habit and density (up to 50 individuals per square metre off the South Orkneys).