Solemyidae is a family of bivalves in the order Solemyoida, the members are known as Solemyids . They are remarkable in that their digestive tract is either extremely small or non-existent, and their feeding appendages are too short to reach outside the shell . It has been shown that these clams harbour sulphur-oxidizing Bacteria intracellularly within their gill filaments. As chemoautotrophs, these bacterial symbionts synthesize organic matter from CO₂ and are the primary source of nutrition for the whole organism . In turn, the animal host provides its symbionts a habitat in which they have access to the substrates of chemoautotrophy (O₂, CO₂, and reduced inorganic compounds such as H₂S). Together, these partners create "animals" with novel metabolic capabilities.

Genera and species in the family Solemyidae

• Acharax Dall, 1908
• Acharax alinae
• Acharax johnstoni
• Solemya Lamarck, 1818
• Solemya borealis Totten, 1834
• Solemya caribbaea H.E. Vokes, 1970
• Solemya grandis A.E. Verrill & Bush, 1898
• Solemya occidentalis Deshayes, 1857
• Solemya parkinsoni E.A. Smith, 1874
• Solemya patagonica E.A. Smith, 1885
• Solemya reidi (syn. Solemya macrodactyla) Rochebrune & Mabille, 1891
• Solyema togata Poli 1795
• Solemya velum Say, 1822

References