The Limidae or file shells are members of the only family of bivalve molluscs in the order Limida. The family includes 130 living species, assigned to 10 genera. Widely distributed in all seas from shallow to deep waters, the species are usually epifaunal or nestling, with many species building byssal nests for protection. The majority of species are capable of irregular swimming by waving their long mantle tentacles.

Genera

All taxa marked † are extinct.

• Acesta H. and A. Adams, 1858

• †Antiquilima Cox, 1943

• Acestarica Dekkers, 2022

• † Antiquilima L. R. Cox, 1943

• Ctenoides Mörch, 1853

• †Ctenostreon Eichwald, 1862

• †Dimorphoconcha Wasmer & Hautmann, 2012

• Divarilima Powell, 1958

• Escalima Iredale, 1929

• Lima Bruguière, 1789

• Limaria Link, 1807

• Limatula S. V. Wood, 1839

• Limea Bronn, 1831

• Mantellina Sacco, 1904

• † Palaeolima Hind, 1903

• †Plagiostoma J. Sowerby, 1814

• †Pseudolimea Arkell, 1933

• † Seymourtula Zinsmeister, 1988

References

• Bieler, R.; Carter, J. G.; Coan, E. V. (2010). Classification of Bivalve families. Pp. 113-133, in: Bouchet P. & Rocroi J.-P. (2010), Nomenclator of Bivalve Families. Malacologia. 52(2): 1-184.

• Stuardo J. (1968). On the phylogeny, taxonomy and distribution of the Limidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia). PhD thesis, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 327 pp

• Valentich-Scott P., Coan E.V. & Zelaya D. (2020). Bivalve seashells of western South America. Marine bivalve mollusks from Punta Aguja, Peru to Isla Chiloé, Chile. vii + 593 pp. Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

External links

• Paredes, C.; Cardoso, F.; Santamaría, J.; Esplana, J.; Llaja, L. (2016). Lista anotada de los bivalvos marinos del Perú. Revista peruana de biología. 23(2), 127-150

• ; https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5568058j?rk=64378;0 ; https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5568059z?rk=21459;2 Lamy E. (1930-1931). Révision des Limidae vivants du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Journal de Conchyliologie. 74(1): 89-114; 74(2): 169-198, pl. 1

• Coan, E. V.; Valentich-Scott, P. (2012). Bivalve seashells of tropical West America. Marine bivalve mollusks from Baja California to northern Peru. 2 vols, 1258 pp.