Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 May 2009
Biconvex to plano-convex usually partly costate Protremata, without pseudodeltidiuin or chilidium so far as known. Of the two valves the dorsal is considerably the larger and more convex. The delthyrium is closed by the incurved dorsal umbo. Dentition simple; strong teeth developed on dental-plates fit into sockets between the brachial-processes and the valve margin. The dental-plates unite to form a duplex spondylium. In the dorsal valve the alate cardinalia consist of short brachial-processes supported on outer-plates, which may remain parallel or converge to form a sessile cruralium or cruralium duplex. The muscles are attached within the spondylium in the ventral valve, while dorsally there is a central grouping of the adductor muscles on the inner surface of the valve below the cruralium.