Psammobiidae

Taxobox
name = Psammobiidae


image_caption = Fossilized shell fragments of "Psammobia fervensis"
image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Bivalvia
subclassis = Heterodonta
ordo = Veneroida
superfamilia = Tellinoidea
familia = Psammobiidae
familia_authority = Fleming, 1828
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = See text.

Psammobiidae or sunset clams, are a family of medium-sized saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs of the order Veneroida.

The shells are moderately lasrge, elongate-ovate, rather thin, resembling the tellinids but without the posterior twist. The hinge has one to three cardinal teeth but no laterals. The ligament is long, external, and the pallial sinus is very large, extending almost two thirds way across the shell.

They are found in most tropical and temperate seas, in shallow water, buried in sand or mud.

Genera

* "Asaphis" Modeer, 1793
* "Ascitellina" Marwick, 1928
* "Gari" Schumacher, 1817
* "Heterodonax" Morch, 1853
* "Hiatula"
* "Nuttallia" Dall, 1900
* "Psammobaea"
* "Sanguinolaria" Lamarck, 1799
* "Soletellina" de Blainville,1824

References

* [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt ITIS]
* 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 85467 054 8