PORT PHILLIP BAY


Oval-shaped Trough Shell 

Mactra antecedens Iredale, 1930

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Shells of this family are medium to large, some thin for their size, smooth, trigonal in shape, ventral margin rounded, inflated. Shell exterior often smooth, if sculpture present it is concentric. Hinge is strong, left valve with single inverted V-shaped cardinal, right valve with two dorsally joined cardinals, laterals present. Ligament internal, sits in spoon shaped depression in hinge. Adductor muscle scars are approximately equal, pallial sinus well developed.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Subphylum:
Conchifera
Class:
Bivalvia
Subclass:
Heterodonta
Order:
Veneroida
Superfamily:
Mactroidea
Family:
Mactridae
Subfamily:
Mactrinae
Genus:
Mactra
Subgenus:
Electomactra
Species:
antecedens

General Description

The shells of this species are elongate, somewhat compressed, with an indistinct ridge extending from rounded apex (umbo) to posterior margin. Exterior white with pale brown coating (periostracum). Shell up to 5 cm across.

Biology

This species burrows in sand.

Habitat

In sand in shallow waters.

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Most states of Australia.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Bivalves

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

5 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

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, Oval-shaped Trough Shell, Mactra antecedens, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 09 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5620

Text: creative commons cc by licence