Tellinidae

Tellinidae
A shell of Tellina fabula
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Cardiida
Superfamily: Tellinoidea
Family: Tellinidae
Blainville, 1814
Genera

See text

The Tellinidae are a family of marine bivalve molluscs of the order Cardiida. Commonly known as tellins or tellens, they live fairly deep in soft sediments in shallow seas and respire using long siphons that reach up to the surface of the sediment.[1]

Characteristics[edit]

Tellinids have rounded or oval, elongated shells, much flattened. The two valves are connected by a large external ligament. The two separate siphons are exceptionally long, sometimes several times the length of the shell. These siphons have a characteristic cruciform muscle at their base.[2]

Selected genera[edit]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tellinidae.
  1. ^ Bouchet, P. (2012). Tellinidae. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=235 on 2012-07-04
  2. ^ Barrett, J. H. and C. M. Yonge, 1958. Collins Pocket Guide to the Sea Shore. P. 160. Collins, London
  • Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
  • Glen Pownall, New Zealand Shells and Shellfish, Seven Seas Publishing Pty Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-85467-054-8
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