Anatomy D. quadrisulcata belongs to the family
Lucinidae.
Lucinidae are known for their round, white shells. These organisms, like all bivalves, also have a mantle, a style, gills, two adductor muscles, a digestive tract, gonads, and a foot for movement. The short esophagus moves food from the gills to the stomach through the cilia lining its walls. Within the stomach, a crystalline structure called the style helps to capture the food and move it farther into the digestive tract. The style uses mucus to capture the food, and, through ciliary action, helps to move food throughout the stomach. The stomach is also aided in the process of digestion by glands called digestive diverticula. These glands contain enzymes that help to break down the organic matter trapped in the style. The next portion of the digestive tract is the mid-gut, also known as the intestine. Unlike other members of the family Lucinidae, the mid-gut of
D. quadrisulcata has a large typhlosole—a fold in the membrane. This fold, located on the dorsal side of the organism, is indicative of an active digestive system. Lastly, waste from the digestive system is excreted from the body after passing through the rectum.
Movement The foot of the
D. quadrisulcata is the organ used for movement. This structure consists of a long, worm-shaped tissue (also known as vermiform), a tissue called the heel, and a distinct bulb-shaped end. The heel of the organism is often used for movement and digging, and the worm-shaped part of the foot is used to form a tube that extends to the surface. This tube is the buried organism’s way of exchanging gas with the water above. To reach the surface, as well as to help extend the heel when burrowing, the worm-shaped part of the foot can stretch up to six times the length of the
D. quadrisulcata shell. ==Distribution==