Arkshell

Arkshell is a common name for several species of marine bivalve mollusks belonging to the family Arcidae. These clams are characterized by their equivalve and inequilateral shells, which are typically oval or rectangular in shape. The shells are often thick and ornamented with prominent radial ribs. Arkshells are found in marine environments worldwide, inhabiting sandy or muddy bottoms, often in shallow coastal waters. They are epifaunal, meaning they live on the surface of the seabed, sometimes partially buried.

The genus Arca is the most well-known within the family. Species such as Arca inflata and Arca granosa are commercially harvested in some regions for their edible meat. The meat of arkshells is considered a delicacy in certain cuisines. Their diet consists of plankton and other small organic particles filtered from the water. Reproduction in arkshells, like other bivalves, typically involves broadcast spawning, where eggs and sperm are released into the water column for external fertilization. The resulting larvae are planktonic before settling to the seabed to develop into adult clams. Arkshells play a role in marine ecosystems by filtering water and serving as a food source for various predators.