159
mercenaria Linnaeus, 1758 is an important recreational and commercial species
harvested in the United States (Fiz da Costa 2013).
Venerids have rounded or oval solid shells with the umbones (projections) in
turned towards the anterior end. Three or four cardinal teeth are on each valve. The
siphons are short and united, except at the tip, and are not very long. The foot is
large (Wikipedia 2019g).
Over 800 species have been identified in the Veneridae family, of which about 20
species are collected from natural beds or cultured to increase production and meet
market demands. Mercenaria mercenaria, Venerupis decussate, Venerupis philippinarum, Cyclina sinensis, Chamelea gallina, Venerupis corrugate, Ameghinomya
antiqua, Leukoma staminea, Meretrix lusoria, Polititapes aureus are commercially
important venus clam species (Arias-Pérez et al. 2013).
Mactridae (Surf Clams)
The Mactridae are bivalves found in shallow waters, to a depth of 50 m, and sheltered areas. They are active burrowers of sandy to muddy bottoms. Mactra luzonica,
Mactra maculate, Macta mera, Mactra achatina, Mactra cuneata, Mactra violacea,
Meropesta capillacea, Meropesta pellucida are important species of this family.
Donacidae (Wedge Shells)
They are quick shallow burrowers living in sandy bottoms. They are both suspension and deposit feeding animals. Donax cuneatus, Donax faba, Donax deltoids,
Donax incarnates, Donax scortum are some species of this family.
Myidae (Softshell Clams)
Mya contains most species of this family. M. arenaria, M. baxteri, M. pseudoarenaria and M. truncata are among the well-researched species.
Solenidae (Razor Clams)
Solenidae is an ecologically and economically important family of marine bivalves
called razor clams. They are filter feeding animals which adapted to switch and deep
borrowing in soft bottoms with their powerful foot. Intertidal species of Solenidae
are sometimes actively exploited, in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Pharella acuditens, Pharella javanica, Sliqua winteriana, Solen Lamarckii, Solen
rosemaculatus are some species of this family.
Saeedi and Costello (2013) reported that no species of any of the families are
reported from Antarctica. Otherwise the Mactridae and Veneridae were cosmopolitan. The Donacidae, Myidae, Phardidae and Solenidae were absent from New
Zealand and the Pacific islands. The Myidae has the most restricted.
3.1 Bivalves
mercenaria Linnaeus, 1758 is an important recreational and commercial species
harvested in the United States (Fiz da Costa 2013).
Venerids have rounded or oval solid shells with the umbones (projections) in
turned towards the anterior end. Three or four cardinal teeth are on each valve. The
siphons are short and united, except at the tip, and are not very long. The foot is
large (Wikipedia 2019g).
Over 800 species have been identified in the Veneridae family, of which about 20
species are collected from natural beds or cultured to increase production and meet
market demands. Mercenaria mercenaria, Venerupis decussate, Venerupis philippinarum, Cyclina sinensis, Chamelea gallina, Venerupis corrugate, Ameghinomya
antiqua, Leukoma staminea, Meretrix lusoria, Polititapes aureus are commercially
important venus clam species (Arias-Pérez et al. 2013).
Mactridae (Surf Clams)
The Mactridae are bivalves found in shallow waters, to a depth of 50 m, and sheltered areas. They are active burrowers of sandy to muddy bottoms. Mactra luzonica,
Mactra maculate, Macta mera, Mactra achatina, Mactra cuneata, Mactra violacea,
Meropesta capillacea, Meropesta pellucida are important species of this family.
Donacidae (Wedge Shells)
They are quick shallow burrowers living in sandy bottoms. They are both suspension and deposit feeding animals. Donax cuneatus, Donax faba, Donax deltoids,
Donax incarnates, Donax scortum are some species of this family.
Myidae (Softshell Clams)
Mya contains most species of this family. M. arenaria, M. baxteri, M. pseudoarenaria and M. truncata are among the well-researched species.
Solenidae (Razor Clams)
Solenidae is an ecologically and economically important family of marine bivalves
called razor clams. They are filter feeding animals which adapted to switch and deep
borrowing in soft bottoms with their powerful foot. Intertidal species of Solenidae
are sometimes actively exploited, in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Pharella acuditens, Pharella javanica, Sliqua winteriana, Solen Lamarckii, Solen
rosemaculatus are some species of this family.
Saeedi and Costello (2013) reported that no species of any of the families are
reported from Antarctica. Otherwise the Mactridae and Veneridae were cosmopolitan. The Donacidae, Myidae, Phardidae and Solenidae were absent from New
Zealand and the Pacific islands. The Myidae has the most restricted.
3.1 Bivalves