Semelidae

Semelidae
Three valves of 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 saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the order Veneroida, the venus shells and their allies.

Description

Members 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]

Selected genera

Genera of Semelidae (with some notable species also listed) include:[2]

References

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