Heterodonta


Heterodonta is a taxonomic subclass of saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs. This subclass includes the edible clams, the cockles and the Venus clams.

Description

These bivalves are distinguished by having the two halves of the shell equally sized and having a few cardinal teeth separated from a number of long lateral teeth. Their shells lack a nacreous layer, and the gills are lamellibranch in form. Most species have a siphon.

Orders and families

In 2010, a new proposed classification system for the Bivalvia was published in by Bieler, Carter & Coan, revising the classification of the Bivalvia, including the subclass Heterodonta. The following tree is their info which has been updated with the latest information from the World Register of Marine Species:
Subclass: Heterodonta
Notes: