Bivalvia (/ b aɪ ˈ v æ l v i ə /) or bivalves, in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class of aquatic molluscs (marine and freshwater) that have laterally compressed soft bodies enclosed by a calcified exoskeleton consisting of a hinged pair of half-shells known as valves.

bivalve, (class Bivalvia), any of more than 15,000 species of clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and other members of the phylum Mollusca characterized by a shell that is divided from front to back into left and right valves. The valves are connected to one another at a hinge.

May 31, 2024 · Bivalves are a group of freshwater and marine mollusks with bilaterally symmetric and laterally compressed bodies encased in a characteristic two-part shell. They belong to the class Bivalvia, a term coined by Linnaeus (1758) from two Latin words, bis (two) and valvae (leaves of a door).

Jun 16, 2024 · Bivalve mollusks (e.g., clams, oysters, mussels, scallops) have an external covering that is a two-part hinged shell that contains a soft-bodied invertebrate. A roughfile clam from the Flower Garden Bank National Marine Sanctuary—just one of many different bivalve mollusk species. Like fish, bivalve mollusks breathe through their gills.

Nov 10, 2023 · Bivalves are a subgroup of mollusks and are eaten as a delicacy around the world. Bivalves make up a large group of animals. It’s estimated that there are well over 20,000 known species of bivalves in the world.

Aug 20, 2024 · Bivalves, also known as lamellibranchs or pelecypods, are a class of mollusks distinguished by their two-part shell, which joins dorsally and encloses and protects their body. They are often found in marine environments but can also live in freshwater. Bivalves are filter feeders, meaning they strain tiny food particles from the water.

The second most diverse group of molluscs behind gastropods, bivalves are one of the most important members of most marine and freshwater ecosystems. In fact, there are well over 10,000 described species of bivalve, found from the deepest depths of …

Bivalves are aquatic mollusks belonging to the class Bivalvia (or Pelecypoda), a group that includes the familiar and economically important clams, oysters, scallops, and mussels. Bivalvia ("two valves") refers to the fact that most members of this group have two-part calcareous shells, or valves, that are hinged and more or less symmetrical.

Bivalve - Filter Feeding, Shells, Aquatic: Almost all bivalves are edible, and millions of metric tons are harvested each year; a number of species are raised commercially. They are important agents in bioerosion.

Bivalve - Mollusks, Aquatic, Filter Feeders: The burrowing, filter-feeding mode of life restricts bivalves to aquatic environments. Mostly found in coastal seas, their diversity is high in large rivers with suitable deltaic habitats and where the continental shelf is broad.