Malleidae

Hammer oyster
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Pteriomorphia
Order: Pterioida
Superfamily: Pterioidea
Family: Malleidae
Genera

See text.

Malleidae, or the hammer oysters, is a family of saltwater clams. They are related to the pearl oysters, in the order Pterioida[1] and the superfamily Pterioidea.

The shells of most of these animals are T-shaped, with the hinge along the top of the T, and with the byssus emerging from the hinge. An oblique ligament holds the hinge. The shell is partially nacreous. There is a single, large adductor muscle. The exhalant current exits at the hinge.

Most hammer oysters live in tropical, coralline areas.

Genera

The following genera have been brought into synonymy.

References

  1. Gofas, S. (2011). Malleidae. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=23067 on 2012-01-02

External links

External identifiers for Malleidae
WoRMS 23067
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