Sphaeriidae Explained

Sphaeriidae is a family of small to minute freshwater bivalve molluscs in the order Sphaeriida. In the US, they are commonly known as pea clams or fingernail clams.^{[1] [2]}

Genera

Genera:^[3]

• Euperinae
  • Byssanodonta d'Orbigny, 1846
  • Eupera Bourguignat, 1854
• Sphaeriinae
  • Afropisidium Kuiper, 1962
  • Euglesa Jenyns, 1832
  • Musculium Link, 1807
  • Odhneripisidium Kuiper, 1962
  • Pisidium C. Pfeiffer, 1821
  • Sphaerium Scopoli, 1777
• fossils
  • †Megasphaerioides Komatsu, J.-H. Chen & Q.-F. Wang, 2003
  • †Protosphaerium Hocknull, 2000
  • †Sphaericoncha Kolesnikov, 1980

Biology and ecology

Sphaeriidae are hermaphrodites with internal fertilization. Developing young are incubated within their mother (ovoviviparity), and newborn clams look like miniature copies of the adults.^[2]

Parasites and/or predators include the Sciomyzidae.

Notes and References

1. [William H. Heard (biologist)|Heard, William H.]
2. [William H. Heard (biologist)|Heard, William H.]
3. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Sphaeriidae Deshayes, 1855 (1820) . www.marinespecies.org . 26 October 2021.