Protobranchia is a subclass of bivalve molluscs.[1] It contains the extant orders Nuculanida, Nuculida, and Solemyida.

Protobranchia
Two views of a left valve of Acila cobboldiae from the early Pleistocene of the Netherlands
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Protobranchia
Pelseneer, 1889
Orders

Nuculanida
Nuculida
Solemyida

Synonyms

Palaeotaxodonta

These are deep water clams of a small and primitive order with a taxodont hinge (composed of many similar, small teeth), generally with a central ligament pit, large labial palps which are used in deposit feeding and the gills used only for respiration, the anterior and posterior adductor muscles are nearly equal in size, a foot which is divided sagittally and longitudinally with papillate margins. The foot in Protobranchia clams is without a true byssus gland, although they frequently have a nonhomologous byssal gland in the heel. The byssal gland in these clams does not produce threads as in Pteriomorphia.[2]

2010 Taxonomy

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In 2010 a new proposed classification system for the Bivalvia was published in by Bieler, Carter & Coan revising the classification of the Bivalvia, including the subclass Protobranchia.[3]

Subclass: Protobranchia

References

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  1. ^ Protobranchia Pelseneer, 1889. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 8 July 2010.
  2. ^ Barnes, Robert D. (1982). Invertebrate Zoology. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International. p. 340. ISBN 0-03-056747-5.
  3. ^ Bieler, R., Carter, J.G. & Coan, E.V. (2010) Classification of Bivalve families. Pp. 113-133, in: Bouchet, P. & Rocroi, J.P. (2010), Nomenclator of Bivalve Families. Malacologia 52(2): 1-184
  4. ^ Nuclanoida Carter, D.C. Campbell & M.R. Campbell, 2000. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 9 October 2010.
  5. ^ Nuculida Dall, 1889. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 20 September 2010.
  6. ^ Solemyoida Dall, 1889. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 9 July 2010.