Reflexed Jewel Box – Chama pacifica

, Reflexed Jewel Box - Chama pacifica, Chama pacifica
Depth: 0 - 30 m

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Aegan Sea, Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

The Reflexed Jewel Box, scientifically known as Chama pacifica, is a captivating marine bivalve mollusk, recognized for its intricate and alluring shell.

Description & Characteristics

The Chama pacifica boasts a distinctive shell, characterized by its robust, thick structure and intricate, often colorful patterns. The shell, typically measuring up to 10 centimeters in diameter, displays a reflexed, or curved, shape, lending to its common name. This curvature allows the bivalve to securely attach to its surroundings, ensuring its stability in the often turbulent marine environment. The outer surface of the shell is frequently adorned with a mosaic of vibrant hues, showcasing a kaleidoscope of colors, including shades of orange, red, and yellow. These vibrant hues add to the visual appeal of the Chama pacifica, making it a captivating presence on the ocean floor.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Chama pacifica is a widespread and adaptable species, thriving in a variety of marine environments. It is commonly found clinging to coral reefs, where its presence enhances the ecosystem’s biodiversity. Its resilience extends to lagoons, rocky reefs, and seaward-facing reefs, showcasing its ability to flourish in diverse habitats. This species is primarily found in the Subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zone of the oceans, ranging from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth, often classified as the neritic zone. This wide distribution highlights its role in maintaining the delicate balance of these marine environments.

Taxonomy

The Chama pacifica belongs to a fascinating family of marine bivalves known as the Chamidae. These bivalves, classified within the Order Venerida, are distinguished by their unique ability to cement themselves to hard surfaces. The Chama pacifica itself is categorized within the Class Bivalvia, a class that encompasses a diverse array of shell-bearing mollusks.

Feeding

The Chama pacifica is a filter feeder, relying on the currents to bring it a steady supply of sustenance. It meticulously sifts through the water, capturing plankton, tiny organisms that are essential for its growth and survival. This feeding strategy positions the Chama pacifica as a vital component of the marine food web, playing a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of its ecosystem.

Associated Species

Image References

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