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| bivalves text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Bivalvia > Family Malleidae |
| Hammer
oyster Malleus sp. Family Malleidae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This strange clam is commonly seen Cyrene Reefs, lying freely among the seagrasses. It is probably more common and overlooked as it should normally be buried in the sand with the T-shaped portion of the shell below, anchoring the clam. The clams are said to be found in colonies. Spatula-shaped bivalves are sometimes also seen stuck into rocky crevices, which may be a kind of Hammer oyster too. Malleus clams are not true oysters. Features: 8-12cm. The two-part shell is thick and some are obviously T-shaped. 'Malleus' means 'hammer' or 'mallet' in Latin. The hinge is on the 'horizontal' portion of the 'T' and the valves held shut by one large adductor muscle that lies at the cross of the 'T'. It has wavy edges along the 'vertical' portion of the 'T'. The outer shell is encrusted with calcareous algae and other organisms. The inner shell is partially lined with mother-of-pearl. |
 T-shaped clams seen lying freely on the surface. Cyrene Reef, Jan 09 |
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 Pulau Semakau, Feb 09 |
 Spatula-shaped clams seen sticking out from among rubble and rocks. Pulau Semakau, Feb 09 |
Hammer oysters on Singapore shores
 Cyrene Reef, Jul 09 |
 Edges of the shell are wavy. |
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 Terumbu Semakau, Dec 11 |
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Links
References
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Graham Brash, Singapore. 145 pp.|
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