Dimyidae

Dimyidae
Shell of Dimyella starcki (paratype at MNHN, Paris)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Pectinida
Superfamily: Dimyoidea
Family: Dimyidae
Fischer, 1887
Genera

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Dimyidae is a family of extremely flattened, small (<1 cm), pleurothetic, relatively rare marine bivalve molluscs in the order Pectinida inhabiting the deeper regions of continental shelves from the Caribbean to Japan. They are sometimes called dimyarian oysters. Unlike other ostreids, the dimyarian oysters attach themselves to a substrate via their right (rather than left) valves.[1] They are related to the scallops and other oysters.

Dimyidae species live in deep sea areas, often on rocks and the sea floor. Their habitat examines how solid surfaces like rocks allow them to avoid being swept away, and the low-profile shell combined with the deep sea habitat protects them from predators.

  1. ^ C. M. YONGE. ON THE DIMYIDAE (MOLLUSCA:BIVALVIA) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DIMYA CORRUGATA HEDLEY AND BASILIOMYA GOREAUI BAYER J. Mollus. Stud. (1978) 44 (3): 357-375