American Bittersweet [Glycymeris americana]
Description
The American Bittersweet, also known as the American Bittersweet Clam, is a species of bivalve mollusk native to the western Atlantic Ocean. They are characterized by their large, rounded shells which are usually brownish or grayish in color, with a glossy interior. They inhabit subtidal regions, often burying in the sand or mud. As filter feeders, they consume small particles and plankton from the water column.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Clams, Oysters, and Scallops
Bivalvia
|
| Order |
Ark Clams
Arcida
|
| Family |
Glycymerid Bivalves
Glycymerididae
|
| Genus |
Bittersweet Clams
Glycymeris
|