Pholadidae

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Pholadidae
Temporal range: Jurassic–Recent
Angelwing-shell.jpg
One valve of a shell of Cyrtopleura costata
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Myida
Superfamily: Pholadoidea
Family: Pholadidae
Lamarck, 1809
Genera

See text

Pholadidae, known as piddocks or angelwings, are a family of bivalve molluscs similar to a clam.

Contents

Background

Piddocks are unique in that each side of their shells is divided into 2 or 3 separate sections. Furthermore, one of the piddock's shells has a set of ridges or "teeth", which they use to grind away at clay or soft rock and create tubular burrows. The shape of these burrows is due to the rotating motion of the piddock as it grinds the rock to make its home. The piddock stays in the burrow it digs for the entirety of its eight-year lifespan, with only its siphon exposed to take in water that it filters for food. When the piddock dies and leaves an empty tubular burrow, other marine life such as sea anemone, crabs and other molluscs may use the burrow.

Some species of Pholadidae may reach up to 18 cm (7″). Their coloration is typically white, though through consumption of red tide algae some may develop a pink coloration.

Genera and selected species

Two views of a whole shell of Barnea candida Barnea candida-Nl2.jpg
Two views of a whole shell of Barnea candida

See also

Related Research Articles

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<i>Mya</i> (bivalve) Genus of bivalves

Mya is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Myidae. They are widespread and abundant in northern waters. Commonly known as Ipswich clams, soft-shell clam or steamers, they are routinely used as a food source for humans.

<i>Lambis</i> Genus of gastropods

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donacidae</span> Family of bivalves

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<i>Mya truncata</i> Species of bivalve

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In 1758, in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae, the Swedish scientist and taxonomist Carl Linnaeus described the class "Vermes" as:

Animals of slow motion, soft substance, able to increase their bulk and restore parts which have been destroyed, extremely tenacious of life, and the inhabitants of moist places. Many of them are without a distinct head, and most of them without feet. They are principally distinguished by their tentacles. By the Ancients they were not improperly called imperfect animals, as being destitute of ears, nose, head, eyes and legs; and are therefore totally distinct from Insects.

<i>Arca</i> (bivalve) Genus of bivalves

Arca is a genus of edible saltwater clams in the family Arcidae, the Ark Clams.

<i>Pholas dactylus</i> Species of bivalve mollusc

Pholas dactylus, or common piddock, is a bioluminescent clam-like species of marine mollusc in the family Pholadidae.

<i>Lutraria</i> Genus of bivalves

Lutraria is a genus of medium-sized marine bivalve mollusks or clams, commonly known as otter shells.

<i>Cyrtopleura costata</i> Species of bivalve

Cyrtopleura costata, or the angel wing clam, is a bivalve mollusc in the family Pholadidae. It is found in shallow parts of the northwest Atlantic and also in the North Sea of Scotland coastline and west coast of the Adriatic Sea by a remote area in the Marche region in central Italy, living in the seabed, where it digs its burrows on a very slow revolving movement for years through soft sand and mud always to a max depth of 8ft but always below 3 feet (0.91 m) at the lowest tide.

<i>Pholas</i> Genus of bivalves

Pholas is a taxonomic genus of marine bivalve molluscs in the subfamily Pholadinae of the family Pholadidae.

<i>Pholadidea</i> Genus of bivalves

Pholadidea is a taxonomic genus of marine bivalve molluscs in the subfamily Martesiinae of the family Pholadidae. Most members of Pholididea bore into shale, soft rock and coral for shelter, with the exception of Pholididea (Hatasia) wiffenae, which is a wood-borer.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pholad borings</span>

Pholad borings are tubular burrows in firm clay and soft rock that have been created by bivalve molluscs in the family Pholadidae. The common names of clams in this family are "pholads", "piddocks", and "angel wings"; the latter because their shells are white, elongated and tend to be shaped like a wing and have sculpture somewhat reminiscent of a wing.

<i>Callista</i> (bivalve) Genus of bivalves

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<i>Barnea</i> (bivalve) Genus of molluscs

Barnea is a genus of bivalves belonging to the family Pholadidae.

<i>Cyrtopleura</i> Genus of bivalves

Cyrtopleura is a genus of bivalves belonging to the family Pholadidae.

<i>Martesia</i> (bivalve) Genus of bivalves

Martesia is a genus of bivalves belonging to the family Pholadidae.

References

  1. http://www.registrelep.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_Atlantic%20Mud-piddock_0810_e.pdf [ dead link ]
  2. Basic information for Pholas dactylus (Common piddock)
  3. Vincent Pieribone and David F. Gruber. Aglow in the Dark: The Revolutionary Science of Biofluorescence. Harvard University Press, 2005.