Glycymeris (genus)
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Glycymeris Temporal range: Cretaceous - Recent |
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| Fossil shells of a Glycymeris species from the Upper Pliocene | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Subclass: | Pteriomorpha |
| Order: | Arcoida |
| Family: | Glycymerididae |
| Genus: |
Glycymeris da Costa, 1778 |
Glycymeris, common name the bittersweet clams, is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Glycymerididae.
The genus name comes from the Ancient Greek word glykymaris (perhaps from Glykys (sweet) and Meris (part)), a word which is only recorded once in Greek literature.
These clams are very common in the fossil state, from Cretaceous period in the Valanginian age (from 112.6 to o 0.012 million years ago). Fossil shells of these molluscs can be found all over the world. Genus Glycymeris includes about 100 extinct species.
The shells ares generally biconvex, with equal valves round in outline, and slightly longer than wide. Their size varies from medium to large. The external ligament lacks transverse . These clams are a facultatively mobile infaunal suspension feeders.
They are widespread on shallow seabeds that consist of heterogeneous-grained sediments.
Species within this genus include:
Fossil Glycymeris glycymeris at the Geopaleontologic Museum GAMPS
Glycymeris glycymeris - Meermandel
Glycymeris glycymeris - Galicia (Spain
Glycymeris modesta - Pakiri, New Zealand
List of molluscan genera represented in the fossil record
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