Bivalve Collection (page 7)

Micronesia, Palau. Giant clam mantle, or tridacna gigas

Giant Clam Mantle (Tridacna gigas), Puerto Gallera, Philippines, SE Asia

MOLLUSK. Great bivalve Mediterranean shell and its byssus. Line engraving, 19th century

Fluted Giant Clam (Tridacna squamosa) adult, mantle and siphon, Mioskon, Dampier Straits, Raja Ampat, West Papua, New Guinea, Indonesia

Swan Mussel (Anodonta cygnea) adult, extending foot, South Yorkshire, England

Shell of common cockle

Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis chilensis) Falkland Islands

Edible Oyster (Ostrea edulis) adult, on seabed, Swanage Pier, Swanage Bay, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England, june

Swan Mussel (Anodonta cygnaea)

Common Mussel (Mytilus edulis) beds, exposed on beach at low tide, Hunstanton, Norfolk, England, october

Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima). The small giant clam, also known as the maxima clam, is a species of clam found throughout the Indo-Pacific

Hand holding an opened blue mussel, Mytilus edulis
Blue mussel. Hand holding a blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, whose shells have been prised apart. Mussels are bivalves which means that they have two shells which are hinged on one side

Veined octopus feeding
Veined octopus (Octopus marginatus) feeding on a bivalve. Solitary corals (Heterocyathus aequicostatus yellow) are also seen. Photographed in Bali, Indonesia

Angel wing shell, X-ray
Angel wing shell (Cyrtopleura costata), coloured X-ray. The angel wing is a bivalve marine mollusc. It burrows into coastal sands and feeds on algae through a siphon

Coloured X-ray of a pecten scallop shell
Scallop shell. Coloured X-ray of a scallop shell, Pecten sp.. A type of bivalve mollusc, the scallop is contained within two of these shells connected together by a hinge (at bottom)

Clams gill, SEM
Clams gill, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The gill is the respiratory organ of a clam, being responsible for extracting oxygen from the water

Starfish and abalone, X-ray
Starfish and abalone. Coloured X-ray of a starfish (class Asteroidea) and an abalone (Haliotis sp.). A starfish typically has 5 arms radiating outward from a central disc

Mussels (Mytilus californianus). Photographed on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington State, USA

Razor clams dug up on a beach
Pacific razor clams. View of several Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula) dug up on a beach. Clams are a family of large bivalved molluscs which generally live in the sand near shorelines

Mantle of a giant clam (Tridacna gigas). The clams mantle tissues contain symbiotic singled- celled dinoflagellate algae (zooxanthellae), which provide it with nutrition and its colour

Thorny oyster (Spondylus varius). This filter feeder is a bivalve mollusc and is part of the clam family. However, like true oysters, this oyster cements itself to rocks

Cockle shell, SEM
Cockle shell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the shell of a cockle, a bivalve mollusc. Bivalve molluscs are so-called because they have symmetrical two-part shells joined by a hinge

Queen scallop shell, X-ray
Queen scallop shell (Chlamys delicatula), coloured X-ray. The queen scallop is a coldwater, bivalve marine mollusc of sub-Antarctic waters

Giant giant clam (Tridacna gigas). This is the largest living bivalve mollusc and can reach up to 1.2 metres in length and weigh more than 227 kilograms

X-ray of pecten scallop shell
Scallop shell. Coloured X-ray of a scallop shell, Pecten sp.. A type of bivalve mollusc, the scallop is contained within two of these shells connected together by a hinge (at bottom)

Electric clam (Ctenoides ales). Clams are filter-feeding bivalve molluscs. This clam is named for the bright white line on its mantle. This band of tissue is lined with cells that reflect light

Green-lipped mussels on sale at a market. Photographed in Thailand

Oyster. One half of a European oyster (Ostrea edulis), which is cultivated for its flesh. Seafood is a good source of protein, although it can provoke allergies in some people

Mussels in a vacuum pack. Mussels are bivalve (two-shelled) molluscs, which contain high levels of protein, vitamins and minerals

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). The mussels shells are open showing the siphons through which they draw water. Mussels filter plankton and other microscopic sea creatures out of the water as food

Dead blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Photographed in the White Sea, Russia

Mussel farming. A fisherman holding a handful of freshly harvested mussels. Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are farmed for food in temperate waters around the world

Thorny oyster mantle. Thorny oysters (Spondylus varians) are filter feeders and are common on steep reefs and walls. Along the edge of their mantle are simple eyes (small dots, upper right)

Illustration of deep sea life at hydrothermal vent
Deep sea vents. Illustration of marine life around hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. Three active " smoker" vents are seen, emitting dark clouds of sulphurous hot water

Giant clam on the sea bed
Giant clam (Tridacna Tridacna gigas) on the sea bed. Photographed in the Andaman Sea, Thailand

Giant clam mantle. Close-up of the mantle of a giant clam (Tridacna Tridacna gigas). The bright colours in the mantle come from symbiotic zooxanthellae (protozoa) in the tissue

Clams paired siphon, SEM
Clams siphon. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the paired siphon of a Corbicula sp. clam. These siphons are used for respiration, filter feeding and excretion

Clam foot, SEM
Clam foot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the muscular foot of a Corbicula sp. clam. The foot is used to burrow the clam into the substrate

Fluted giant clam (Tridacna squamosa). The fluted giant clam is one of a number of large clam species native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian oceans

Giant clam. Close-up of the mantle of a giant clam (Tridacna Tridacna gigas). Photographed off Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Thorny oyster and red sponge. Thorny oyster (Spondylus varians) with a red sponge (red, bottom) covering its shell. Thorny oysters are filter feeders and are common on steep reefs and walls

Common mussels (Mytilus edulis) exposed on a rock at low tide. Photographed at Polzeath, Cornwall, UK

Skeleton shrimp and mussels
Skeleton shrimp (Caprella septentrionalis) and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) on a brown algae (Laminaria sp.) frond

Horsemussel. Close-up of an open horsemussel (Modiolus modiolus), showing the siphon through which it draws water. Mussels filter plankton and other microscopic sea creatures out of the water as food

Thorny oyster, Spondylus varius, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific)
Andre Seale / SplashdownDirect

Giant clam with encrusting sponge, (Tridacna maxima), Rongelap, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific)
Andre Seale / SplashdownDirect

Small giant clam, Tridacna maxima, surrounded by lobe coral, Porites lutea, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific)
Andre Seale / SplashdownDirect

Horseshoe clam, Hippopus hippopus, Rongelap, Marshall Islands, Micronesia
Andre Seale / SplashdownDirect

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"Bivalve: Unveiling the Wonders of Shellfish and Marine Life" From the whimsical tale of "The Walrus and the Carpenter" to the ancient reign of extinct marine reptiles, bivalves have left an indelible mark on our world. These fascinating creatures come in various forms, captivating both scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. In West Papua, Indonesia, a mesmerizing spectacle unfolds as the Electric fileclam or Disco clam (Ctenoides ales) showcases its vibrant light display. Its iridescent mantle pulses with electric blue hues, leaving observers spellbound by this underwater disco. Meanwhile, in Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland, Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) stands tall amidst clusters of Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), creating a stunning composition that earned recognition in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 competition's Plants category. Delving into history reveals extinct bivalve mollusks such as Pholadomya and Terebratula species. These ancient organisms once thrived but now exist only in fossil records—a testament to their former presence on Earth. Perched majestically on Kilauea Point in Hawaii is the iconic Kilauea Lighthouse. This picturesque location serves as a reminder that even man-made structures can harmoniously coexist with nature's wonders like bivalves. The Turbinated Shell, Bivalve Shell, Multivalve Shell—each unique design tells a story etched by time itself. Their intricate patterns serve as reminders that beauty lies not only within living creatures but also within their discarded shells. Witnessing Queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) feeding at Glencoe in Ballachulish Lochaber evokes awe for these graceful filter feeders. Their delicate movements remind us of nature's delicate balance between predator and prey.