Barythaerus

Barythaerus
Type specimen of Barythaerus biconvexus from the collections of Te Papa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Family: Thraciidae
Genus: Barythaerus
B. A. Marshall, 2002
Species

2 species (see text)

Barythaerus is a small genus of marine bivalve molluscs of the family Thraciidae. The genus is endemic to the waters off southern New Zealand. Shells have been found at depths of 27–805 m (89–2,641 ft). Live specimens have been found from bryozoan and shell substrates at intermediate depths (55–183 m).

Species

There are two recognized species:

Description

Barythaerus are small bivalves, with the larger species (Barythaerus cuneatus) reaching 5.5 mm (0.22 in) in length. The shell is stout with a beak located in the posterior 1⁄3–1⁄4 of the shell. Only the right valve has a prominent tooth. They resemble Parvithracia but are more stout and oblique.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Marshall, B. A. (2002). "Some Recent Thraciidae, Periplomatidae, Myochamidae, Cuspidariidae and Spheniopsidae (Anomalodesmata) from the New Zealand region and referral of Thracia reinga Crozier, 1966 and Scintillona benthicola Dell, 1956 to Tellimya Brown, 1827 (Montacutidae) (Mollusca: Bivalvia)". Molluscan Research. 22 (3): 221–288. doi:10.1071/MR02011.
  2. 1 2 Bieler R, Bouchet P, Gofas S, Marshall B, Rosenberg G, La Perna R, Neubauer TA, Sartori AF, Schneider S, Vos C, ter Poorten JJ, Taylor J, Dijkstra H, Finn J, Bank R, Neubert E, Moretzsohn F, Faber M, Houart R, Picton B, Garcia-Alvarez O, eds. (2024). "Barythaerus B. A. Marshall, 2002". MolluscaBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Barythaerus". New Zealand Organisms Register (NZOR). Retrieved 8 July 2024.