PORT PHILLIP BAY


Bivalve Mollusc 

Barbatia squamosa (Lamarck, 1819)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Shells of this family are often quite large, heavy and with strong radial or cancellate sculpture. There is a long, usually straight taxodont hinge with the ligament external, sometimes situated on an expanded area above hinge and between umbones. Most species have a thick fibrous periostracum which maybe hirsute (hair like). Many species are attached to the substrate by a well developed byssus and there may be a ventral byssal gape (Arca), but others are free living as adults and without a byssus.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Subphylum:
Conchifera
Class:
Bivalvia
Subclass:
Pteriomorphia
Order:
Arcoida
Superfamily:
Arcoidea
Family:
Arcidae
Genus:
Barbatia
Species:
squamosa

General Description

Shell characterised by the exterior having a sculpture of intersecting radial and concentric lines (striae), giving a tile like appearance. Shell up to 15 mm across.

Biology

This species attaches to rocks by threads called a byssus. It belongs to a group of bivalves that mainly occur in tropical waters of northern Australia, only three species live in Victorian waters.

Habitat

Under stones or other substrates, from low tide areas to depths of several metres.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Most states of Australia.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Bivalves

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 mm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Species Code

MoV 1723

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Boyd, S.

Sue Boyd is an Honorary Associate in marine invertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Boyd, S., 2011, Bivalve Mollusc, Barbatia squamosa, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 28 Apr 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5598

Text: creative commons cc by licence