The Iridescent Clam, Coral Clam, Coral Scallop, scientifically known as Pedum spondyloideum, is a captivating bivalve mollusc renowned for its iridescent shell and unique habitat preference.
Description & Characteristics
Pedum spondyloideum is distinguished by its distinctive, often iridescent shell. The shell is typically white or off-white, with a distinct, slightly curved shape. It can grow to a maximum size of around 10 centimeters in length. This clam is a fascinating example of epibiosis, meaning it often lives attached to other organisms, particularly living corals. This symbiotic relationship provides Pedum spondyloideum with a secure habitat and access to food sources.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Iridescent Clam, Coral Clam, Coral Scallop is a marine dweller, inhabiting the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones of the ocean. This encompasses the lower limit of the intertidal zone down to the shelf edge, approximately 200 meters in depth. Its presence is characteristic of the neritic zone, the marine environment extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf. Pedum spondyloideum is particularly well-suited to coral reef environments, often found attached to living coral colonies, utilizing the coral’s structure as a platform for growth and protection.
Taxonomy
Pedum spondyloideum is classified within the phylum Mollusca, specifically within the Class Bivalvia, the group of animals that includes clams, oysters, and mussels. Its taxonomic classification places it further within the Order Pectinida, which includes scallops, and the Family Pectinidae, the family of true scallops.
Feeding
Like many other bivalves, Pedum spondyloideum is a filter feeder, consuming plankton from the surrounding seawater. It achieves this by drawing water into its mantle cavity, where specialized gills trap the tiny organisms. This feeding strategy makes it an important part of the marine food web, contributing to the balance of these ecosystems.
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