PHOLADIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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The Pholadidae, commonly known as the piddocks, is a family of small to medium-sized bivalve mollusks that belong to the class Bivalvia. These marine organisms are widely distributed across various coastal regions worldwide, typically inhabiting soft sediments such as mud, sand, and clay.
Piddocks are characterized by their elongated, cylindrical shells, which are usually tapered at both ends. These shells are capable of penetrating solid substrates such as wood, clay, and limestone through the use of their specialized digging abilities. By secreting enzymes that dissolve and soften the surrounding material, piddocks create burrows that provide shelter and protection.
These bivalves possess a muscular foot which is used for digging and anchoring themselves within their burrows. The foot's strong contraction enables piddocks to rapidly retreat within their burrows for protection against predators or adverse environmental conditions.
Pholadidae species are filter feeders, utilizing their siphons to draw in water into their burrows. As the water passes over their specialized gills, piddocks extract organic particles and plankton for sustenance.
Although piddocks are not typically regarded as commercially important, they play a vital ecological role by contributing to sediment bioturbation and serving as a food source for various marine organisms. Additionally, certain species have been used in scientific research to study boring mechanisms and for biomonitoring purposes to assess water quality and sediment health in coastal ecosystems.
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The family of boring bivalves, of which the common pholas is the type, found fossil from the Lias upwards.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PHOLADIDAE
- oholadidae
- lholadidae
- -holadidae
- 0holadidae
- pgoladidae
- pboladidae
- pnoladidae
- pjoladidae
- puoladidae
- pyoladidae
- philadidae
- phkladidae
- phlladidae
- phpladidae
- ph0ladidae
- ph9ladidae
- phokadidae
- phopadidae
- phooadidae
- pholzdidae
Etymology of PHOLADIDAE
The word "Pholadidae" is derived from the Greek word "pholis" (φῶλις), which means "a kind of marine shellfish" or "boring or digging into wood or stone". The suffix "-idae" is a common ending in scientific classification used to denote the family of organisms. Therefore, "Pholadidae" refers to a family of marine bivalve mollusks commonly known as "piddocks" or "angel wings" that are known for their ability to burrow into wood or soft rock.
Similar spelling word for PHOLADIDAE
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