Glycymeris

Glycymeris, common name the bittersweet clams, is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Glycymerididae.

This article is about the genus. For shells of the genus in an paleontological context, see Glycymeris (shells).

Glycymeris
Temporal range: Cretaceous - Recent
Fossil shells of a Glycymeris species from the Upper Pliocene
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Arcida
Family: Glycymerididae
Genus: Glycymeris
da Costa, 1778

Etymology

The genus name comes from the Ancient Greek word glykymaris (perhaps from Glykys (sweet) and Meris (part)), a word which is only recorded once in Greek literature.

Fossil records

These clams are very common as fossils, from the Cretaceous period in the Valanginian age (between 140.2 ± 3.0 mya and 136.4 ± 2.0 mya). Fossil shells of these molluscs can be found all over the world. Genus Glycymeris includes about 100 extinct species.[1][2]

Fossil valve of Glycymeris inflata from the Pliocene of Italy

Description

The shells are generally biconvex, with equal valves round in outline, and slightly longer than wide. Their size varies from medium to large. The external ligament lacks transverse striations. These clams are a facultatively mobile infaunal suspension feeders.

Habitat

They are widespread on shallow seabeds that consist of heterogeneous-grained sediments.

Species

Species within this genus include:[3]

  • Fossil Glycymeris glycymeris at the Geopaleontologic Museum GAMPS
  • Glycymeris glycymeris - Meermandel
  • Glycymeris glycymeris - Galicia (Spain
  • Glycymeris modesta - Pakiri, New Zealand

See also

References
  1. Paleobiology database
  2. Sepkoski, Jack Sepkoski's Online Genus Database
  3. Biolib


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