''Dosinia exoleta'',
common name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often con ...
the rayed artemis, is a saltwater clam, a
marine bivalve
Bivalvia () or bivalves, in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class (biology), class of aquatic animal, aquatic molluscs (marine and freshwater) that have laterally compressed soft bodies enclosed b ...
mollusc
Mollusca is a phylum of protostome, protostomic invertebrate animals, whose members are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 76,000 extant taxon, extant species of molluscs are recognized, making it the second-largest animal phylum ...
in the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
Veneridae
The Veneridae or venerids, common name: Venus (mythology), Venus clams, are a very large family of minute to large, saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs. Over 500 living species of venerid bivalves are known, most of which are edible, and m ...
, the venus clams.
Description
The shell of an adult ''Dosinia exoleta'' can be as large as . These shells can be white, yellowish or pale brown, with darker blotches. They are circular in shape, with a concentric sculpture of fine ribs. They have a very good flavour.
File:Dosinia exoleta var. interrupta 01.jpg, ''Dosinia exoleta'' var. ''interrupta'', right valve
File:Dosinia exoleta var. interrupta 02.jpg, ''Dosinia exoleta'' var. ''interrupta'', left valve
File:Dosinia exoleta var. ponderosa 01.jpg, ''Dosinia exoleta var. ponderosa'', right valve
File:Dosinia exoleta var. ponderosa 02.jpg, ''Dosinia exoleta var. ponderosa'', left valve
Distribution and habitat
This species is present in the Boreal-Atlantic zone and Mediterranean Sea. It lives on the lower shore and muddy flats to depths of about .
References
*Repetto G., Orlando F. & Arduino G. (2005): Conchiglie del Mediterraneo, Amici del Museo "Federico Eusebio", Alba, Italy
External links
WoRMSMarine Life InformationsBiolibHabitas
Dosinia
Molluscs described in 1758
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
{{Veneridae-stub