Arca noae, commonly known as the Noah’s Ark, is a species of saltwater clam, a type of marine bivalve mollusk. This species stands out for its distinctive, ridged shell and intriguing name, which stems from its resemblance to a miniature version of the legendary ark.
Description & Characteristics
The shell of the Noah’s Ark is thick and heavy, with a characteristically rectangular shape. The exterior surface is covered in numerous, prominent ridges or ribs that run longitudinally along the shell. The color of the shell can vary but often displays a combination of white, brown, and yellowish hues. Its maximum size can reach approximately 7 centimeters in length.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Noah’s Ark, Arca noae, is a marine organism that primarily inhabits subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones. It prefers the deeper regions of the ocean, typically ranging from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge, which extends to about 200 meters in water depth. This makes it a prominent species within the neritic zone of the ocean.
Taxonomy
Arca noae belongs to the Class: Bivalvia, the class of mollusks characterized by their two-part hinged shells. It falls under the Order: Arcida, which encompasses a group of clams with strong, thick shells. Within this order, it is classified in the Family: Arcidae, which includes species with distinctive, elongated shells and prominent ribs.
Feeding
Like many other bivalve mollusks, the Arca noae is a filter feeder. It feeds on plankton, tiny organisms that drift in the water column. The clam draws water into its mantle cavity through siphon tubes, where specialized gills trap and filter out the plankton for consumption.
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