Ark shell

Ark Shell (Arca) is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Arcidae, the ark shells. This genus is known from the Jurassic period to the present. The shells of species within this genus range from medium-sized to large for bivalves.

Description

Ark shells are characterized by their thick, robust shells, which are typically sculptured with strong radial ribs. The shells are equivalve, with the umbones incurved. The hinge line is long and straight, without teeth but with numerous small sockets and chondrophores. The mantle margin is fused, except for inhalant and exhalant openings.

Distribution and habitat

Ark shells are found worldwide in temperate and tropical seas and oceans. They inhabit intertidal to subtidal zones, often in muddy or sandy substrates.

Ecology

Ark shells are filter feeders, extracting plankton and other small organisms from the water column. They are known to be prey for a variety of marine animals, including sea stars, crabs, and fish.

Human use

Some species of ark shells, such as Scapharca broughtonii, are harvested for food in some parts of the world. They are often used in soups, stews, and other seafood dishes.

See also

• List of molluscan genera represented in the fossil record
• Mollusca
• Bivalvia