PORT PHILLIP BAY


Little Globe Shell 

Diplodonta globulosa Adams, 1856

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Shells of this family are round to ovate, frequently oblique, usually inflated; ligament external, two cardinal teeth in each valve; pallial sinus absent, exterior sculpture weak or absent.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Subphylum:
Conchifera
Class:
Bivalvia
Subclass:
Heterodonta
Order:
Veneroida
Superfamily:
Lucinoidea
Family:
Ungulinidae
Genus:
Diplodonta
Subgenus:
Zemysina
Species:
globulosa

General Description

Shells of this species are more or less rounded in outline, and very inflated. Valve rounded apex (umbo) approximately median positioned. Exterior of shell smooth except for poorly defined concentric ridges, many in number, more easily observed towards margins. Ligament external and elongate. Shell up to 3 cm across.

Biology

Members of the family group this species belongs to appear to be without bacteria symbionts common the related family group, the Lucinidae.

Habitat

On the sea floor.

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Bivalves

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

3 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

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, Little Globe Shell, Diplodonta globulosa, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5602

Text: creative commons cc by licence