''Paratapes textilis'' is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of saltwater clam, a

marine Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean. Marine or marines may refer to: Ocean * Maritime (disambiguation) * Marine art * Marine biology * Marine debris * Marine habitats * Marine life * Marine pollution Military * ...

bivalve Bivalvia (), in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class of marine and freshwater molluscs that have laterally compressed bodies enclosed by a shell consisting of two hinged parts. As a group, bival ...

mollusk Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is e ...

in the family

Veneridae The Veneridae or venerids, common name: Venus clams, are a very large family of minute to large, saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs. Over 500 living species of venerid bivalves are known, most of which are edible, and many of which are e ...

, the Venus clams.

Description

Shell of ''Paratapes textilis'' can reach a length of , with a maximum length of . These shells are elongate, elliptical-ovate and moderately inflated, with rounded margins. The outer shell surface is smooth, glossy, pale yellowish-white, with pale purplish grey inverted V-shaped markings. Hinge is narrow, with three radiating cardinal teeth.India Biodiversity.
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Distribution

This species is present in Indian Ocean and in South Africa.WoRMS
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Habitat

These bivalves live on sandy bottoms or attached to rocks, at depths of up to 4 metres.

References

Veneridae Bivalves described in 1791 Taxa named by Johann Friedrich Gmelin {{bivalve-stub