Noetia ponderosa

Noetia ponderosa
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Arcida
Family:	Noetiidae
Genus:	Noetia
Species:	N. ponderosa
Binomial name
Noetia ponderosa (Say, 1822)

Noetia ponderosa, or the ponderous ark clam, is a marine clam in the family Noetiidae. ^[1]

Description

The shape of the shell is rounded trigonal, almost as high as long, with 27-31 squared radial ribs divided by fine incised lines, and a distinctive brown or black periostracum. The exterior and interior of the shell is a white color. Size approximately 50–60 mm. ^[2]

Right and left valve of the same specimen:

• 
  Right valve
• 
  Left valve

Distribution

Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from Virginia to Florida, West Indies, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Central America. ^{[3] [2]}

Habitat

Noetia ponderosa typically resides in shallow water on the ocean floor.

References

1. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Noetia ponderosa (Say, 1822)". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
2. Mikkelsen, Paula M. (2008). Seashells of southern Florida : living marine mollusks of the Florida keys and adjacent regions, bivalves. Rüdiger Bieler. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN   978-0-691-11606-8. OCLC   78071775.
3. Abbott, R.T. & Morris, P.A. A Field Guide to Shells: Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and the West Indies. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1995. 11.