Bivalvia

Subclass Protobranchia

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• Solemyoida
• Nuculoida

Subclass Pteriomorphia - oysters

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• Arcoida
• Mytiloida
• Pterioida

Subclass Paleoheterodonta - mussels

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• Trigoinoida
• Unionoida

Subclass Heterodonta - clams, zebra mussels

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• Veneroida
• Myoida

Subclass Anomalosdesmata

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• Pholadomyoida

Bivalves are molluscs belonging to the class Bivalvia. They typically have two-part shells, with both parts being more or less symmetrical. The class has 30,000 species, including scallops, clams, oysters and mussels. Other names for the class include Bivalva, Pelecypoda, and Lamellibranchia.

Related Topics:
Mollusc - Shell - Symmetrical - Species - Scallop - Clam - Oyster - Mussel

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Bivalves are exclusively aquatic; they include both marine and freshwater forms.

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Bivalves lack a radula and feed by siphoning and filtering small particles from water. Some bivalves are epifaunal: that is, they attach themselves to surfaces in the water, by means of a byssus. Others are infaunal: they bury themselves in sand or other sediments. These forms typically have a strong digging foot. Some bivalves can swim.

Related Topics:
Radula - Epifauna - Byssus - Infauna

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Bivalvia: Palaeontology ►