Polymesoda arctata (Deshayes, 1854)
Slender marsh clam
Polymesoda arctata
photo by FAO

Family:  Cyrenidae ()
Max. size: 
Environment:  benthic; marine
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Southern Caribbean and northern South America.
Diagnosis:  Shell outline subtriangular, as high as long, inflated, heavy, slightly pointed posteriorly. Sculpture of well-defined concentric threads. Hinge with 3 cardinal teeth situated under umbo; 1 anterior and 1 posterior lateral tooth. Lateral teeth smooth. Ligament long, narrow. Periostracum with minute scales, fuzzy. Colour: externally cream-white, sometimes tinged with purple or grey, internally white often stained with purple and frequently with darker radial stripes at both ends; periostracum pale or dark brown.
Biology:  Infaunal in mud or sandy-mud in estuaries, mangrove swamps and coastal lagoons (Ref. 344).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 

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