Mactra stultorum

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Mactra stultorum

Mactra stultorum, commonly known as the Common trough shell or Rayed trough shell, is a species of bivalve mollusc in the family Mactridae. It can be found along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, including the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Description

The Mactra stultorum is a medium-sized bivalve, typically reaching a length of 30-50mm. The shell is white or cream in color, often with a pale brown periostracum. The shell is elongated and triangular in shape, with a slight gape at the posterior end. The interior of the shell is white, with a large, triangular adductor muscle scar.

Distribution and habitat

The Mactra stultorum is widely distributed along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, from Norway to Senegal, including the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms, from the lower shore to depths of up to 50 meters.

Life cycle

The Mactra stultorum is a broadcast spawner, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. The resulting larvae are planktonic, drifting with the currents until they are ready to settle on the seabed and metamorphose into juvenile clams.

Ecology

The Mactra stultorum is a filter feeder, extracting plankton and organic particles from the water column. It is preyed upon by a variety of predators, including birds, fish, and larger invertebrates.

Human interaction

The Mactra stultorum is not typically harvested for human consumption, but it may be collected as bait by recreational fishermen.

Conservation

The Mactra stultorum is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, like all marine bivalves, it may be affected by pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.

See also

• List of bivalve molluscs
• Mactridae
• Bivalvia