The Saddle Ouster, Jingle Shell, scientifically known as Anomia ephippium, is a fascinating bivalve mollusk that inhabits the marine environments of the world. These creatures are notable for their unique shell morphology and intriguing life cycle.
Description & Characteristics
Anomia ephippium can grow up to a maximum size of about 5 cm in length. The shell of the Saddle Ouster, Jingle Shell is distinctive, with one valve (the upper, or right valve) being flat and often irregularly shaped, resembling a saddle. The other valve (the lower, or left valve) is deeply concave and serves as the primary attachment point for the animal. The shells are frequently ornamented with concentric ridges and may display a range of colors from white to brown or even reddish-brown.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Saddle Ouster, Jingle Shell (Anomia ephippium) thrives in a variety of marine environments. It can be found in the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones, which include areas from the lower limit of the intertidal zone down to the shelf edge at approximately 200 m water depth. It can be found in neritic waters, meaning it lives in the coastal waters above the continental shelf. This adaptability allows Anomia ephippium to flourish in a range of coastal habitats, from rocky shores to sandy bottoms.
Taxonomy
Anomia ephippium is scientifically classified within the Class Bivalvia, which encompasses a diverse group of mollusks with two hinged shells. The Saddle Ouster, Jingle Shell is further categorized within the Order Pectinida, a group known for their filter-feeding lifestyle and often colorful shells. This classification leads to the Family Anomiidae, which includes other unique bivalves with similarly distinctive shell shapes.
Feeding
Anomia ephippium, like other bivalves, is a filter feeder. It obtains its sustenance by filtering microscopic organisms, including detritus and plankton, from the water column. The Saddle Ouster, Jingle Shell utilizes its gills to trap these food particles, efficiently extracting nutrients from the surrounding water.
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