Name
Arca
Noah's Ark shell
Framing
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Pteriomorphia
Genus: Arca
Habitat
Marine. Benthic on hard bottoms, sometimes in crevices or on empty shells.
Feeding
Sesil. Solitary. Suspensivorous, filter feeders. Attaches to the substrate by the byssus.
Distribution
North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean
Conservation status
Not threatened
Additional information
Trapezoidal shell, up to 9 cm long, with rounded anterior margin and truncated posterior margin. The hinge is taxodont, straight and long. The valves are ajar at the ventral margin, where the byssus emerges. The surface is marked with strong radial ribs, alternating with thinner ones. It is usually covered with sponges of the genus Crambe.
Additional information
Bibliography
- Doneddu, M. &Trainito E. (2005). Conchiglie del Mediterraneo. Guida al riconoscimento dei moluschi conchigliati. Il Castello. 256 pp.
- Gofas S., Moreno D. y Salas C. (2011). Moluscos marinos de Andalucía. Volumen II- Málaga: Servicio de Publicaciones e Intercambio Científico, Universidad de Málaga. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Ocaña, A, Sánchez Tocino, L., López González, S, y Viciana Martín, J.F. (2000). Guía Submarina de Invertebrados no Artrópodos. Ed. Comares. Granada. 471 pp. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Poppe, G.T. & Goto Y. (1993). European Seasshells. Vol. II. Verlarg Christa Hemmen.