PORT PHILLIP BAY


Mud Cockle 

Katelysia peronii (Lamarck, 1818)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

This very large family includes over 500 species worldwide and are found in almost all seas. The family is characterised by a strong hinge with three cardinal teeth in each valve, anterior laterals may be present, but are weak. Shells of this family are moderate to large, often thick and solid, vary greatly in shape from elongate, ovate and quite flattened, to orbicular and inflated. Umbones are approximately median, ligament elongate, external. Shell exterior usually smooth or with concentric sculpture, a few with radial ribs. Periostracum is variable, maybe absent. Adductor muscle scars usually more or less equal, pallial sinus present in most venerids, often shallow. Byssus is usually absent in adults.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Subphylum:
Conchifera
Class:
Bivalvia
Subclass:
Heterodonta
Order:
Veneroida
Superfamily:
Veneroidea
Family:
Veneridae
Subfamily:
Tapetinae
Genus:
Katelysia
Species:
peronii

Other Names

  • Peron's Venerid

General Description

Shells of this species are solid, ovate and somewhat inflated. Exterior cream with brown markings, these may be zigzag lines or blotches, and interior white often with splashes of purple. Exterior sculpture of strong even concentric ridges. Shell up to 4 cm across.

Biology

Two other similar looking species from this genus group also occur in Victoria and are difficult to distinguish from this species. All three species are commercially harvested and sold as clams in fish markets. The group are seen to have potential for aquaculture.

Habitat

Intertidal sand flats or in estuaries.

Soft substrates

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern 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

4 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

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, Mud Cockle, Katelysia peronii, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 10 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5615

Text: creative commons cc by licence