Rocellaria stimpsonii

Rocellaria stimpsonii, common name the Stimpson chimney clam, is a species of saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Gastrochaenidae. This species is known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico.

Rocellaria stimpsonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Heterodonta
Order: Gastrochaenida
Superfamily: Gastrochaenoidea
Family: Gastrochaenidae
Genus: Rocellaria
Species:
R. stimpsonii
Binomial name
Rocellaria stimpsonii
Tryon, 1861[1]

This small species bores into calcareous surfaces, including the shells of other bivalves. The clam forms a living space which is lined with calcium carbonate and is shaped like a bottle,[2] hence the common name "chimney clam".

Description

The shell of this bivalve grows to a size of 18 mm. The valves are white and translucent; they are also thin and delicate with a large gape at the front end, towards the dorsal surface of the animal.

References

  1. Bouchet, P.; Huber, M. (2014). Rocellaria stimpsonii Tryon, 1861. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=505251 on 2014-05-16
  2. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum website, shells, Family Gastrochaenidae, Rocellaria stimpsonii (Tryon, 1861), accessed 2014-5-16
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