| Nuculanida | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Subclass: | Protobranchia |
| Order: | Nuculanida Carter, D. C. Campbell & M. R. Campbell, 2000 |
| Families | |
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
Nuculanoida | |
Nuculanida is an order of very small saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the subclass Protobranchia.
These bivalves are distinguished by the presence of relatively primitive, "protobranchiate" gills. There are a row of short teeth along the hinge of the shell. The shells are often internally nacreous. [1]
Families within the order Nuculanida include:
Bivalvia, in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class of marine and freshwater molluscs that have laterally compressed bodies enclosed by a shell consisting of two hinged parts. Bivalves as a group have no head and they lack some usual molluscan organs like the radula and the odontophore. They include the clams, oysters, cockles, mussels, scallops, and numerous other families that live in saltwater, as well as a number of families that live in freshwater. The majority are filter feeders. The gills have evolved into ctenidia, specialised organs for feeding and breathing. Most bivalves bury themselves in sediment where they are relatively safe from predation. Others lie on the sea floor or attach themselves to rocks or other hard surfaces. Some bivalves, such as the scallops and file shells, can swim. The shipworms bore into wood, clay, or stone and live inside these substances.
Muricidae is a large and varied taxonomic family of small to large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks, commonly known as murex snails or rock snails. With about 1,600 living species, the Muricidae represent almost 10% of the Neogastropoda. Additionally, 1,200 fossil species have been recognized. Numerous subfamilies are recognized, although experts disagree about the subfamily divisions and the definitions of the genera. Many muricids have unusual shells which are considered attractive by shell collectors and by interior designers.
The Veneridae or venerideees, common name: venus clams, are a very large family of minute to large, saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs. Over 500 living species of venerid bivalves are known, most of which are edible, and many of which are exploited as food sources.
Olive snails, also known as olive shells and olives, scientific name Olividae, are a taxonomic family of medium to large predatory sea snails with smooth, shiny, elongated oval-shaped shells.
Volutidae, common name volutes, are a taxonomic family of predatory sea snails that range in size from 9 mm to over 500 mm, marine gastropod mollusks. Most of the species have no operculum.
The Buccinidae are a very large and diverse taxonomic family of large sea snails, often known as whelks or true whelks.
The Ranellidae, common name the triton shells or tritons, are a taxonomic family of small to very large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the order Littorinimorpha.
Nuculidae is a family of small saltwater clams in the order Nuculida. Species in this family are commonly known as nut clams.
Mactridae, common name the trough shells or duck clams, is a family of saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks in the order Venerida.
Mytilidae are a family of small to large marine and brackish-water bivalve molluscs in the order Mytilida. One of the genera, Limnoperna, even inhabits freshwater environments. The order has only this one family which contains some 52 genera.
Acesta is a genus of marine bivalve molluscs in the family Limidae.
The Limidae or file shells are members of the only family of bivalve molluscs in the order Limida. The family includes 130 living species, assigned to 10 genera. Widely distributed in all seas from shallow to deep waters, the species are usually epifaunal or nestling, with many species building byssal nests for protection. The majority of species are capable of irregular swimming by waving their long mantle tentacles.
Nuculanidae is a family of small saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the order Nuculanida. Species in this family are found in all seas, from shallow to deep water.
Pristiglomidae is a family of small saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the order Nuculida.
Siliculidae is a taxonomic family of small deepwater saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs, in the order Nuculanida.
Yoldiidae is a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the order Nuculanida.
Isognomon is a genus of marine bivalve mollusks which is related to the pearl oysters.
Protobranchia is a subclass of bivalve molluscs. It contains the extant orders Nuculanida, Nuculida, and Solemyida.
Phaseolidae is a family of bivalves belonging to the order Nuculanida.
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