Characteristics
Pectinids are characterized by a number of distinctive features, including:
- Two-valved shell: Like all bivalves, pectinids possess a hinged shell consisting of two halves, known as valves.
- Radial ribs: The exterior surface of the shell is typically adorned with prominent radial ribs that run from the hinge to the edge.
- Ears: Pectinids have two small, wing-like projections on each side of the hinge, referred to as ears.
- Mantle: The fleshy tissue that lines the inside of the shell and secretes the shell material is known as the mantle.
- Ctenidia: These are specialized gills that filter food particles from the water.
- Foot: Pectinids have a small, muscular foot that helps them burrow into sediment or attach themselves to surfaces.
Environments
Pectinids can be found in a wide range of marine environments, including:
- Intertidal zones: These are areas where the water level fluctuates with the tides, exposing the organisms to air and water.
- Subtidal zones: These are areas that are permanently submerged below the water level.
- Deep-sea environments: Some pectinids inhabit the depths of the ocean, adapting to extreme pressures and low light conditions.
References
For more information on Pectinida, please refer to the following reliable sources:
