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Tag: bivalve

Jingle Shell (Anomia simplex)

Jingle Shell (Anomia simplex)

Clams, quahogs, oysters and mussels are probably the most well known bivalves, mollusks with two hinged shells, but there are many others. Another example is the jingle shell (Anomia simplex). Interestingly, despite having two hinged shells, it is often only the top shell that is found washed up on the beach. The bottom shell is less frequently discovered because it often remains attached to whatever substrate the animal was growing on.  The upper shell is convex and is movable during…

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Ribbed Mussel (Geukensia demissa)

Ribbed Mussel (Geukensia demissa)

Although most people just notice a sea of grasses when they look at a salt marsh, there are many other organisms that make their home in and among these plants. While many of these animals, such as fiddler crabs and snails are less commonly seen as the weather gets colder, there are others, like the ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) that are not as mobile; once settled, ribbed mussels are very sedentary. Ribbed mussels occur in salt marshes along the western…

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