Tellinida

Tellinida is a suborder of marine bivalve mollusks belonging to the order Venerida. Members of this group are characterized by their equivalve, often inequilateral shells, which can be smooth or possess concentric sculpture. The anterior and posterior ends of the shell are typically rounded or slightly pointed, and the siphons, which are used for feeding and respiration, are usually of moderate length and often fused for much of their length. Tellinids are found worldwide in a variety of marine habitats, from shallow intertidal zones to deeper waters, and inhabit sandy or muddy substrates where they burrow.

The family Tellinidae is the most prominent family within the Tellinida. Other families include the Psammobiidae and the Semelidae. These bivalves are infaunal, meaning they live buried within the sediment. They are filter feeders, drawing in water through their siphons and extracting plankton and other organic particles. Reproduction in tellinids generally involves external fertilization, with eggs and sperm released into the water column. The larval stage is planktonic before settling to the seabed to metamorphose into a juvenile. Some species are economically important as food sources, while others play a role in sediment bioturbation, influencing the physical structure of their environment.