Semelidae

Semelidae
The peppery furrow shell, Scrobicularia plana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Heterodonta
Order: Veneroida
Superfamily: Tellinoidea
Family: Semelidae
Stoliczka, 1870
Genera

See text.

The Semelidae are a family of clams, marine bivalve molluscs of the order Veneroida.

Characteristics

Menbers of this family have rounded or oval, elongated shells, much flattened. The two valves are connected by an internal ligament in contrast to the closely related family Tellinidae where the ligament is external. The two separate siphons are very long, sometimes several times the length of the shell. These siphons have a characteristic cruciform muscle at their base.[1]

Genera

Genera and species recognised in the ITIS Standard Report:[2]

References

  1. ^ Barrett, J. H. and C. M. Yonge, 1958. Collins Pocket Guide to the Sea Shore. P. 160. Collins, London
  2. ^ ITIS