Placunidae

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Windowpane oysters
Placuna placenta - Osaka Museum of Natural History - DSC07845.JPG
Placuna placenta shells
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Pectinida
Family: Placunidae
Rafinesque, 1815
Genus: Placuna
Lightfoot, 1786
Species

Placunidae, also known as windowpane oysters, windowpane shells, and Capiz shells, are a taxonomic family of saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks which are related to oysters and scallops.

Contents

This family is best known for the shells of the species Placuna placenta , which are translucent, and are commonly used in shellcraft production. In some cultures, they are cut into 2" x 2" and pressed by a 1/4" wood and are used as a form of light-admitting window. [2] This shells are a bit reflective and are even used as room movable divider (partition).

The family is closely related to the Anomiidae (saddle oysters). One of the main differences is that the Placunidae do not attach themselves to a hard surface but are instead a mud-living family.

Description

Placunidae are suspension feeders, living on shallow, muddy-bottomed waters. They usually lie with the right valve downwards. The ligament is internal and forms a shallow V-shape.

Reproduction

The sexes are separate and the larval stage is free-swimming.

Cultural usage

Species in the family Placunidae are extensively collected in the Indo-West Pacific, and are cultivated or farmed in several areas. [3]

The windowpane oysters are valued for their translucent shell. The shells were originally used as a glass substitute in glazing, but nowadays they are mainly used in the manufacture of trays, lampshades and numerous decorative items. [2]

In coastal areas the flesh is eaten.

Genera and species

Genera and species within the family Placunidae include:

Synonyms

Related Research Articles

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<i>Bulla</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

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<i>Strombus</i> Genus of gastropods

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

Venus is a genus of small to large saltwater clams in the family Veneridae, which is sometimes known as the Venus clams and their relatives. These are marine bivalve molluscs.

<i>Ostrea</i> Genus of bivalves

Ostrea is a genus of edible oysters, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Ostreidae, the oysters.

<i>Lambis</i> Genus of gastropods

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

Anomiidae is a family of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs related to scallops and oysters, and known as anomiids. It contains seven genera.

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

Pinna is a genus of bivalve molluscs belonging to the family Pinnidae.

<i>Isognomon</i> Genus of bivalves

Isognomon is a genus of marine bivalve mollusks which is related to the pearl oysters.

<i>Turbinella</i> Genus of gastropods

Turbinella is a genus of very large sea snails with an operculum, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Turbinellinae of the family Turbinellidae.

<i>Voluta</i> Genus of gastropods

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

Anomia is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Anomiidae. They are commonly known as jingle shells because when a handful of them are shaken they make a jingling sound, though some are also known as saddle oysters.

<i>Astraea</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Astraea is a genus of medium to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails.

<i>Hyotissa</i> Genus of bivalves

Hyotissa is a genus of large saltwater oysters, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Gryphaeidae.

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

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windowpane oyster</span> Species of bivalve

The windowpane oyster is a bivalve marine mollusk in the family of Placunidae. They are edible, but valued more for their shells. The shells have been used for thousands of years as a glass substitute because of their durability and translucence. More recently, they have been used in the manufacture of decorative items such as chandeliers and lampshades; in this use, the shell is known as capiz shell (kapis). Capiz shells are also used as raw materials for glue, chalk and varnish.

<i>Acanthocardia</i> Genus of bivalves

Acanthocardia is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Cardiidae. They are infaunal suspension feeders.

<i>Solecurtus</i> Genus of bivalves

Solecurtus is a genus of saltwater clam, a marine bivalve molluscs in the family Solecurtidae.

<i>Anomia ephippium</i> Species of bivalve

Anomia ephippium is a species of bivalve belonging to the family Anomiidae.

References

  1. Bieler R, Bouchet P, Gofas S, Marshall B, Rosenberg G, La Perna R, Neubauer TA, Sartori AF, Schneider S, Vos C, ter Poorten JJ, Taylor J, Dijkstra H, Finn J, Bank R, Neubert E, Moretzsohn F, Faber M, Houart R, Picton B, Garcia-Alvarez O (eds.). "Placuna Lightfoot, 1786". MolluscaBase. World Register of Marine Species.
  2. 1 2 "Fisheries and aquaculture of window-pane shells". Malacological Society of London. Retrieved on 2011-10-23.
  3. Poutiers, J. M. (1998). "Bivalves (Acephala, Lamellibranchia, Pelecypoda)". In Carpenter, K. E.; Niem, V. H. (eds.). The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific Volume 1. Seaweeds, corals, bivalves and gastropods. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. Vol. 1. Rome: FAO. p. 216. ISBN   92-5-104052-4.