BIOTIC Species Information for Pholas dactylus
Researched byJacqueline Hill Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byDr Eunice Pinn
Taxonomy
Scientific namePholas dactylus Common nameCommon piddock
MCS CodeW2177 Recent SynonymsNone
PhylumMollusca Subphylum
Superclass ClassPelecypoda
Subclass OrderMyoida
SuborderPholadina FamilyPholadidae
GenusPholus Speciesdactylus
Subspecies   
Additional Information
  • The shell is often thicker in older individuals, up to 2 mm thick in 12 cm specimens (E. Pinn pers. comm.).
  • Although thin and brittle the shell of Pholas dactylus has a cross-lamellar design which efficiently deflects cracks away from the bulk of the shell which gives it the strength to burrow through soft rocks.
Taxonomy References Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997, Tebble, 1976, Turner, 1954,
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