Malleidae

Hammer oyster
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Pteriomorphia
Order: Pterioida
Superfamily: Pterioidea
Family: Malleidae
Genera

See text

Malleidae, or hammer oysters, is a family of saltwater clams. They are related to the pearl oysters, in the order Pterioida[1] and the superfamily Pterioidea.

The shells of most of these animals are T-shaped, with the hinge along the top of the T, and with the byssus emerging from the hinge. An oblique ligament holds the hinge. The shell is partially nacreous. There is a single, large adductor muscle. The exhalant current exits at the hinge.

Most hammer oysters live in tropical, coralline areas.

Genera

The following genera have been brought into synonymy.

  • Brevimalleus McLean, 1947 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
  • Fundella Gregorio, 1884 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
  • Himantopoda Schumacher, 1817 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
  • Malleolus Rafinesque, 1815 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
  • Malvufundus de Gregorio, 1885 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
  • Parimalleus Iredale, 1931 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
  • Tudes Oken, 1815 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799

References

  1. ↑ Gofas, S. (2011). Malleidae. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=23067 on 2012-01-02


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