The Otter Shell, Common Otter Shell, Common Otter Clam, Mud-dwelling Mactra – Lutraria lutraria is a species of large, edible bivalve mollusk found in coastal waters across Europe. This clam is well-adapted to life in the intertidal zone, where it buries itself in soft mud or sand. It is a common sight in intertidal areas, particularly in the intertidal zone between the high and low tide lines characterized by the alternation of low and high tides.
Description & Characteristics
Lutraria lutraria is a large, robust clam with a thick, oval-shaped shell. The shell can grow to a maximum size of 15 cm in length, and is typically colored a pale brown or grey. The shell surface is often covered with a thin layer of sediment, giving it a rough appearance. The two valves of the shell are joined together by a strong hinge ligament, and are closed by powerful adductor muscles.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Otter Shell, Common Otter Shell, Common Otter Clam, Mud-dwelling Mactra – Lutraria lutraria is a benthic organism that lives in coastal waters. It favors muddy substrates and rubble floors, often burrowing deeply into the sediment to avoid predation. It is found in the intertidal zone, between the high and low tide lines, and can also be found in shallow subtidal waters. The species is found across the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, including the coasts of Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Baltic Sea.
Taxonomy
The species Lutraria lutraria belongs to the Class: Bivalvia, Order: Venerida, and Family: Mactridae. This classification places the species within the larger group of marine mollusks known as bivalves, characterized by their two-part shells. The Order Venerida is a diverse group of bivalves that includes many commercially important species, and the Family Mactridae is a group of burrowing bivalves that are well-adapted to life in soft sediments.
Feeding
The Otter Shell, Common Otter Shell, Common Otter Clam, Mud-dwelling Mactra – Lutraria lutraria is a filter feeder. It feeds by drawing water into its body through a siphon, and then filtering out tiny particles of food, such as plankton and algae. This method of feeding, also known as suspension feeding, allows the clam to obtain nutrients from the surrounding water.
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