Fragum mundum
Shell very small to small (H 5-12 mm), inequilateral, quite solid, trapezoidal with typical rounded anterior margin and straight to slightly concave posterior keel. 26-30 ribs, flat topped, crowded scales to spiny and sometimes leaf-like on posterior slope. Color exterior to interior cream to white and on posterior appearing striped given translucencies interspersed with opaque white areas there.
Morphology
Small robust species with spiny to scaly rib ornamentation that facilitates adherence to tufty algal mats for nestling. Window shell microstructure evident on posterior shell surface, however, unstudied at this time. Photosymbiotic.
Evolution
Kirkendale (2009) has shown (and others have confirmed e.g. Herrera et al. 2015) that Fragum is paraphyletic and includes Corculum and Lunulicardia, the two other wholly photosymbiotic lineages of cardiids. Fragum mundum falls in a subclade that includes Corculum and Lunulicardia, not other Fragum. The phylogeny of members of the Fraginae subfamily is in a state of flux and the taxonomy of the group is in need of attention
Behaviour
Epifaunal nestler.
Method of reproduction
Broadcast spawner.
Habitat
Marine
Byssus present as tether. Nestler in low growing algae laden rock depressions or pools with high exposure/flow in clean coralline sand.
Distribution
Wide distribution in the Indo-west Pacific.
Life Cycle
Short lived veliger larvae.
Kingdom: | Animalia |
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Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Subclass: | Heterodonta |
Superorder: | Imparidentia |
Order: | Cardiida |
Superfamily: | Cardioidea |
Family: | Cardiidae |
Subfamily: | Fraginae |
Genus: | Fragum |
Species: | mundum |
Name Published Year: | 1845 |
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Rank: | species |
Scientific Name Authorship: | Reeve |
Commercial Impact: | None |
Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/fragum-mundum
Accessed 14 Aug 2024
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