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Sculptures by Phyllis Bone

DEEP BURROWING LAMELLIBRANCHS


Some deep burrowers like Lutraria lutraria, the common otter shell, and Solenocurtus strigallatus have solved the problem of inhaling sediment by sealing the mantle margin so that only the inhalant and exhalant apertures remain open, together forming a siphon. These animals also have an anterior pedal aperture through which the foot protrudes. Such extensive fusion of the mantle maintains the hydrostatic pressure needed to burrow deeply. These animals lie completely buried in the mud with only the siphon tip projecting above the surface to inhale the water, which bears their food and oxygen.