Anomalodesmata is an

superorder Order ( la, ordo) is one of the eight major hierarchical taxonomic ranks in Linnaean taxonomy. It is classified between family and class. In biological classification, the order is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms and ...

of saltwater clams, marine

bivalve Bivalvia (), in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class of marine and freshwater molluscs that have laterally compressed bodies enclosed by a shell consisting of two hinged parts. As a group, biv ...

molluscs Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is esti ...

. This grouping was formerly recognised as a taxonomic subclass. It is called a superorder in the current

World Register of Marine Species The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is a taxonomic database that aims to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms. Content The content of the registry is edited and maintained by scientific speciali ...

, despite having no orders, to parallel it with sister taxon Imparidentia, which does have orders.

Description

Wood1815 General Conchology pl 18 fig 1 Thracia convexa

The shells of species in this order are of equal size, as are the muscles that hold them closed, and the margins at the hinges are thickened. The margins of the mantle are also fused, and there is only a single hinge tooth, if any.

Families

In 2010, a new proposed classification system for the Bivalvia was published in ''

Malacologia ''Malacologia'' is a peer-reviewed scientific journal in the field of malacology, the study of mollusks. The journal publishes articles in the fields of molluscan systematics, ecology, population ecology, genetics, molecular genetics, evolution, a ...

'' by Bieler, Carter & Coan revising the classification of the Bivalvia, including the order Anomalodesmata.Bieler, R., Carter, J.G. & Coan, E.V. (2010) ''Classification of Bivalve families''. Pp. 113-133, in: Bouchet, P. & Rocroi, J.P. (2010), ''Nomenclator of Bivalve Families. Malacologia'' 52(2): 1-184 The following tree is their info which has been updated with the latest information from the

: Order: Anomalodesmata *Superfamily: Clavagelloidea **Family:

Clavagellidae Clavagellidae is a family of very unusual marine bivalves of the order Anomalodesmata. Genera and species * †'' Ascaulocardium'' Pojeta and N. F 1987 * '' Brechites'' Guettard 1770 ** '' Brechites attrahens'' ** '' Brechites brechites'' ** ' ...

**Family:

Penicillidae Penicillidae is a family of bivalves belonging to the order Anomalodesmata Anomalodesmata is an superorder of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs. This grouping was formerly recognised as a taxonomic subclass. It is called a superorder i ...

*Superfamily: Cuspidarioidea ** Family: Cuspidariidae ** Family: Halonymphidae ** Family: Protocuspidariidae ** Family:

Spheniopsidae Spheniopsidae is a family of bivalve Bivalvia (), in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class of marine and freshwater molluscs that have laterally compressed bodies enclosed by a shell consisting ...

*Superfamily: Myochamoidea **Family: Cleidothaeridae **Family: Myochamidae *Superfamily: Pandoroidea ** Family: Lyonsiidae ** Family:

Pandoridae Pandoridae is a taxonomic family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-bein ...

*Superfamily: Pholadomyoidea ** Family: † Arenigomyidae ** Family: † Margaritariidae ** Family: Parilimyidae ** Family: Pholadomyidae ** Family: † Ucumariidae *Superfamily: Poromyoidea ** Family: Cetoconchidae ** Family: Poromyidae *Superfamily: Thracioidea ** Family: † Burmesiidae ** Family: Clistoconchidae ** Family:

Laternulidae Laternulidae, common name lantern clams, is a family of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the order Anomalodesmata. Description Members of this family have thin, brittle shells that have an elongated oval shape. The valves are white w ...

** Family:

Periplomatidae Periplomatidae is a family of large marine bivalves of the Anomalodesmata Anomalodesmata is an superorder of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs. This grouping was formerly recognised as a taxonomic subclass. It is called a superorder in ...

** Family:

Thraciidae Thraciidae is a Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic family (biology), family of small saltwater clams, marine (ocean), marine bivalves in the order (biology), order Anomalodesmata. Selected genera and species Genera and species within the family Thrac ...

*Superfamily: Verticordioidea ** Family: Euciroidae ** Family: Lyonsiellidae ** Family: Verticordiidae

References

* Powell A W B, ''New Zealand Mollusca'', William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979

External links

* Bivalve orders {{bivalve-stub