Corallistidae

Corallistidae is a family of marine bivalve mollusks, commonly known as coralline clams or coralline oysters. They are characterized by their hard, calcareous shells, which are often brightly colored and patterned. The family includes several genera, with the most well-known being Corallium, which is found in the Indo-Pacific region. Corallistidae are sessile, meaning they attach themselves to hard substrates such as rocks or coral reefs using a byssal thread.

These mollusks are filter feeders, using their siphons to draw in water and filter out planktonic organisms. They play an important role in marine ecosystems, contributing to the structure and biodiversity of coral reefs. Corallistidae are also of economic significance, as some species are harvested for their shells, which are used in jewelry and decorative items.

The family Corallistidae was first described by the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1809. Over the years, the taxonomy of the family has been revised, and several genera have been moved to other families. Despite these changes, Corallistidae remains a distinct and well-recognized group within the class Bivalvia.