Dwarf fan shell

Dwarf fan shell
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Ostreoida
Suborder: Pectinina
Superfamily: Pectinoidea
Family: Pectinidae
Genus: Talochlamys
Species: T. multistriata
Binomial name
Talochlamys multistriata
(Poli, 1795)

The dwarf fan shell, Talochlamys multistriata is a species of bivalve scallop. It is a marine mollusc in the family Pectinidae.

Distribution

This species is found around the southern African coast, from Saldanha Bay to Delagoa Bay, in less than 20 m of water.[1]

Description

This animal grows up to 35 mm in length. It is a small bivalve with a single ear-like protrusion at the hinge. Its shell is finely ridged longitudinally and variably coloured from yellow to purple.[1]

Ecology

The dwarf fan shell lives under stones and among algae. If disturbed, it can swim by clapping its valves together.

References

  1. 1 2 Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. & Beckley, L.E (2005): Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 0-86486-672-0

External links


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