Solemyoida

Solemya velum

The Solemyoida are an order of mussels ( Bivalvia ), which is provided Protobranchia subclass within the class of shells. The oldest members of this group are known since the Lower Ordovician.

Characteristics

The order is characterized by the same housing with damper, the front end is usually prolonged ( " inaequilateral "). The shell is aragonitisch with homogeneous or prismatic, partly also kreuzlamellaren microstructures. The castle is taxodont, with few teeth or completely toothless. The ligament may be externally or internally. The sphincters are uniform ( isomyar ) or nonuniform ( anisomyar ).

Way of life

The representatives of the order Solemyoidea have developed a special way of life. They live mostly buried in soft sediment and live in symbiosis with sulfur -oxidizing bacteria from which they feed. The stomach is therefore greatly simplified, enlarged the gills and siphons are greatly reduced.

System

The order contains the following superfamilies:

• Solemyoidea Gray, 1840
• Manzanelloidea Chronic, 1952