| Lithophaga lithophaga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lithophaga lithophaga boring into marine rocks | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Mytilida |
| Family: | Mytilidae |
| Genus: | Lithophaga |
| Species: | L. lithophaga |
| Binomial name | |
| Lithophaga lithophaga | |
Lithophaga lithophaga, also known asdate shell ordate mussel,[3] is a species ofBivalvia belonging to the familyMytilidae.
Fossils ofLithophaga lithophaga are found in marine strata from theMiocene until theQuaternary (age range: from 15.97 to 0.0 million years ago).[4]
This species can be found in northeastAtlantic Ocean, theMediterranean Sea and theRed Sea.[5] They are found on theAdriatic coast ofCroatia andMontenegro under the nameprstaci.[6]
These bivalves live mainly in the area battered by the waves, but they can reach depths of 125 to 200 m.[7] Theybore into marine rocks, producing a boring calledGastrochaenolites. Their growth is very slow, and to reach the 5 cm length, they require 15 to 35 years. They feed on plankton, algae and debris by filtering them from the water. They reach the sexual maturity after about two years. The number of eggs that are released in a season reach about 120,000 to about 4.5 million. The fertilization takes place in the open water.[8]
Shells ofLithophaga lithophaga can reach a length of about 8.5 centimetres (3.3 in). They are yellowish or brownish, almost cylindrical, rounded at both ends. The interior is whitish iridescent purple with a pink tinge. These shells are relatively thin. The surface is nearly smooth, covered with growth lines, which sometimes can be quite rough.
Right and left valve of the same specimen:
The Lithophaga lithophaga's name is derived from the Greek wordlithos: meaning rock/stone and the Greek word phaga/phago: meaning to eating or devouring.
These mollusks have been considered a delicacy in Mediterranean cuisine; often cooked and served in a broth of white wine, garlic and parsley.[citation needed]
The extraction of the shells require dismantling of the rocks where they live and can lead todesertification of the coast.[9] Several governments have restricted the collection of these shells or even made it wholly illegal, in order to protect the rocks on which they are found. These countries includeCroatia,[10]Italy,[5]Slovenia,[11]France,[12]Greece,[5]Montenegro,[5] and others, including participants in theConvention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention)[13] The species is listed in Appendix II of theConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning international trade is regulated by the CITES permit system.[1] As of 2004[update], its population distributed over the Turkish coastline is not considered to be under threat.[5]
Radi zaštite hridinaste obale kao posebnog staništa ribolovnog mora zabranjen je izlov prstaca i zabranjeno je njihovo stavljanje u promet na cijelom teritoriju Republike Hrvatske, kao i njihov izvoz.
Protection : Interdiction de la pêche en France par arrêté du 26 novembre 1992.
Molluscs - Bivalvia - Mytiloida - Lithophaga lithophaga (Med.)
