Order Veneroida
The Veneroida (Order Veneroida) includes 6 species across 3 families and 4 genera in our directory.
About Veneroida
This is a smaller arthropod order with specialized ecological roles. Arthropods are the most diverse animal phylum, comprising over 80% of all known animal species with approximately 1.2 million described species globally.
Economic Impact
While this order has limited direct economic impact, arthropods collectively provide ecosystem services worth trillions of dollars annually through pollination, decomposition, pest control, and nutrient cycling.
Ecological Role
Members of this order contribute to broader arthropod ecosystem functions including decomposition, predation, and serving as food sources for vertebrates. Arthropod biodiversity is essential for ecosystem resilience.
Families in Veneroida (3)
Species in Veneroida (6)
Asian Clam
Corbicula fluminea
The outside of the shell is normally greeny-yellow with concentric rings. The colour can flake, leaving white spots. The shells are lightly purple on the inside. A freshwater species moving through our river and canal systems An invasive species now
European fingernail clam
Sphaerium corneum
Size: 9-11 mm across. This small freshwater bivalve mollusc is broadly oval and fairly globular with a central umbo. The colour of the shell is usually a brown to grey with the juveniles being more yellow colour. The surface is silky with very fine,
Pea Cockle
Euglesa casertana
Up to 5mm, rounded (but often quadrate in juveniles) but variable. Less tumid than other Euglesa species and often with a silky appearance. The umbo is flattened and off-centre.Best identified by examination of the cardinal teeth - part of the intern
Quagga Mussel
Dreissena rostriformis bugensis
This invasive bivalve is typically 2-5cm in length, often with zig-zag brown stripes, though can be solid brown. Adults attach to hard substrata such as rocks, wood, man-made piping and can smother native mussels. It has a high filtering capacity and
Short-ended Pea Mussel
Euglesa subtruncata
This species is a minute freshwater bivalve. It measures 2.7 to 4 mm and is whitish to greyish in colour, with a silky, glossy sheen and a fine, irregular ribbed finish. It has an oblique shape with a prominent and rounded umbo. There are numerous, v
Zebra Mussel
Dreissena polymorpha
Adults are up to 3 to 4 cm in length with a typical mussel shape. The shell is yellow with darker bands or zig-zags. It is highly variable, as suggested by its latin name, and some specimens lack the stripes and can be all white or all brown/black. T