Paphia
Paphia is a genus of saltwater clams in the family Veneridae, the venus clams. It comprises several species of marine bivalves that inhabit sandy and muddy substrates in shallow coastal waters. The genus occurs in warm temperate and tropical seas, with distribution in the western Indian Ocean, the western Pacific, and adjacent regions. Species are typically burrowers, living partially buried with their siphons extended to draw in water for respiration and feeding.
Shells of Paphia clams are generally oval to elongated, with smooth to weakly sculptured surfaces. The exterior
Ecology and life history: Paphia species are filter feeders, extracting phytoplankton and organic matter from the
Economic importance and conservation: Several species are harvested commercially for food in parts of Asia, Africa,