pivotilla

Pivotilla is a genus of marine bivalve mollusks belonging to the family Veneridae. These clams are characterized by their relatively small, equivalve, and inflated shells, which are typically rounded to ovate in shape. The surface of the shell often exhibits concentric growth lines and may be smooth or bear fine radial striations. The color of the shell can vary, ranging from white to gray or brown, sometimes with subtle patterns or markings.

The genus Pivotilla is found in various marine environments, primarily in temperate and tropical waters. They are often associated with sandy or muddy substrates where they burrow and filter feed on plankton and organic detritus from the water column. Like other bivalves, they possess a muscular foot used for locomotion and anchoring in the sediment.

Reproduction in Pivotilla follows the typical pattern for bivalves, involving external fertilization with females releasing eggs and males releasing sperm into the water. Larval stages are planktonic before settling and metamorphosing into juvenile clams. The exact ecological role and distribution of all Pivotilla species are subjects of ongoing research within marine biology. While not as widely recognized as some other venerid genera, Pivotilla contributes to the biodiversity of benthic communities.