Hammer oyster | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Subclass: | Pteriomorphia |
Order: | Pterioida |
Superfamily: | Pterioidea |
Family: | Malleidae |
Genera | |
See text. |
External identifiers for Malleidae | |
---|---|
WoRMS | 23067 |
See text.
Malleidae, or the hammer oysters, is a family of saltwater clams. They are related to the pearl oysters, in the order Pterioida and the superfamily Pterioidea.
The shells of most of these animals are T-shaped, with the hinge along the top of the T, and with the byssus emerging from the hinge. An oblique ligament holds the hinge. The shell is partially nacreous. There is a single, large adductor muscle. The exhalant current exits at the hinge.
Most hammer oysters live in tropical, coralline areas.
The following genera have been brought into synonymy.