merikarpide
Merikarpide is a term used in Estonian-language contexts to refer to a diverse group of marine shell-bearing mollusks, commonly known in English as sea shells or shellfish. The exact composition of merikarpide is not fixed across sources; in many field guides it is used to denote bivalves—especially clams, mussels, and oysters—though some references may extend to related mollusks with similar shell structures. All merikarpide share a calcareous shell consisting of two valves that are hinged at the back, a muscular foot, and a mantle that secretes the shell. Most species are filter feeders, drawing water through siphons or incurrent openings to extract tiny organic particles.
Merikarpide occur in marine environments worldwide, with a strong presence in temperate to tropical coastal zones.
Reproduction in merikarpide typically involves external fertilization, with larvae that disperse as free-swimming veligers before settling
Merikarpide are harvested for food and, in some regions, for shells used in decoration or craft. Fishing