Latticeto

Latticeto is a genus of marine bivalve mollusks belonging to the family Veneridae, commonly known as hard clams. These bivalves are characterized by their sturdy, equivalve shells, meaning both valves are of equal size and shape. The exterior of the shell is typically sculptured with concentric ridges or lines of growth, and the surface can vary in color from white to gray or brown, sometimes with darker zigzag patterns.

Species within the Latticeto genus are found in marine environments worldwide, inhabiting sandy or muddy substrates in shallow coastal waters. They are filter feeders, drawing in water through an incurrent siphon and extracting microscopic food particles. The excurrent siphon expels waste and water. Like other clams, Latticeto plays a role in marine ecosystems by filtering water and serving as a food source for various predators.

Reproduction in Latticeto generally involves external fertilization, with females releasing eggs and males releasing sperm into the water column. Larvae are planktonic for a period before settling onto the seabed and metamorphosing into juvenile clams. The lifespan of Latticeto species can vary, with some individuals living for several years. While not as commercially significant as some other venerid clams, certain Latticeto species are consumed locally and can be found in artisanal fisheries.