Rocellaria stimpsonii

Rocellaria stimpsonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: [unassigned] Euheterodonta
Family: Gastrochaenidae
Genus: Rocellaria
Species: R. stimpsonii
Binomial name
Rocellaria stimpsonii
Tryon, 1861[1]

Rocellaria stimpsonii, common name the Stimpson chimney clam, is a species of saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Gastrochaenidae. This species is known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico.

This small species bores into calcareous surfaces, including the shells of other bivalves. The clam forms a living space which is lined with calcium carbonate and is shaped like a bottle,[2] hence the common name "chimney clam".

Description

The shell of this bivalve grows to a size of 18 mm. The valves are white and translucent; they are also thin and delicate with a large gape at the front end towards the dorsal surface of the animal.

References

  1. Bouchet, P.; Huber, M. (2014). Rocellaria stimpsonii Tryon, 1861. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=505251 on 2014-05-16
  2. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum website, shells, Family Gastrochaenidae, Rocellaria stimpsonii (Tryon, 1861), accessed 2014-5-16
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