- Malleidae
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Hammer oyster Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Order: Pterioida Family: Malleidae Genera See text.
Malleidae, or the hammer oysters, is a family of saltwater clams. They are related to the pearl oysters, in the order Pterioida.
The shells of most of them are T-shaped, with the hinge at the top of the T, and with the byssus emrging 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.
Species
- Malleus
- Malleus albus
- Malleus candeanus
- Malleus decurtatus
- Malleus malleus
- Malleus meridianus
- Malleus nuttalli
- Malleus regula
- Malleus rufipunctatus
- Malleus vulgaris
External links
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