Ark Shells of the Noetiidae Family

One Ark Shell of the Noetiidae Family can be found in this website:

Solid Ark Shell, Arcopsis solida. A representative of the Noetiidae Family of Ark Shells.

The Noetiidae Family (R. B. Stewart, 1930) are bivalve mollusks that are Ark Shells with  thirty-eight known species that have been placed in thirteen genera that are very similar in appearance to the Ark Shells of  the Arcidae Family. Ark Shells in the Noetidae Family differ from Ark Shells in the Arcidae Family in the placement of ligaments and the lack of striations on the ligaments.

The Noetiidae Ark Shell are are ribbed clam shells with both valves being symmetrical and are trapezoidal or oblong in shape. Shells in this family are usually white or cream colored with a heavy, brown, periostracum (outer membrane) covering the shell’s surface. Species in this family are suspension feeders, filtering plankton and fine detritus from the surrounding water. These shells are preyed on by sea stars and carnivorous mollusks. Noetiidae Ark Shells are found in tropical and semi-tropical waters around the world, from the intertidal zone to moderately deep water. There are three Noetiidae Ark Shells found along the coastlines of the Baja Peninsula.