Striped Venus Clam – Chamelea gallina

, Striped Venus Clam, Chamelea gallina

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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 Striped Venus Clam, Chamelea gallina, is a common and widespread species of bivalve mollusk found in the coastal waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. This clam is a popular food source in many parts of its range and is also harvested for its beautiful shell.

Description & Characteristics

Chamelea gallina is a medium-sized clam, typically reaching a maximum length of about 5 cm. The shell is oval-shaped and has a characteristic pattern of fine, concentric ridges and radial lines, giving it a striped appearance. The color of the shell can vary from white to yellowish-brown. The clam has a hinge with teeth on each valve, which helps to keep the shell closed securely.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Striped Venus Clam is found in a variety of habitats, including sandy bottoms, mudflats, and seagrass meadows. They are typically found in depths ranging from the intertidal zone to about 50 meters. This clam prefers areas with moderate wave action and good water circulation. Chamelea gallina is a common species throughout the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the Mediterranean Sea to the British Isles. This clam is primarily found in the Neritic zone, which encompasses the shallow waters extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.

Taxonomy

The Striped Venus Clam, Chamelea gallina, belongs to the Class: Bivalvia, Order: Venerida, and Family: Veneridae. The Venerida is a diverse order of bivalves, commonly known as the “Venus Clams,” comprising a wide variety of species with distinctive shell morphology and ecological roles. The Family Veneridae, to which Chamelea gallina belongs, contains a large number of commonly eaten clams, including the edible cockle, the surf clam, and the littleneck clam. These clams are characterized by their robust, often heart-shaped shells and their presence in various marine environments.

Feeding

Chamelea gallina is a filter feeder, meaning it obtains its food by filtering water through its gills. The clam’s gills trap microscopic algae, detritus, and other organic particles from the water column. These particles are then transported to the clam’s mouth, where they are ingested and digested. This feeding strategy allows Chamelea gallina to thrive in diverse marine environments, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling and contributing to the health of the ecosystem.

Associated Species

Image References

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