Paratapes undulatus

Paratapes undulatus, common name undulate venus, is a species of saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae, the Venus clams.^[1]

Paratapes undulatus
A view of a valve of Paratapes undulatus. Museum specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Venerida
Family:	Veneridae
Genus:	Paratapes
Species:	P. undulatus
Binomial name
Paratapes undulatus Born, 1778
Synonyms
Paphia undulata (Born, 1778) Paratapes scordalus Iredale, 1936 Venus rimosa Philippi, 1847 Venus undulata Born, 1778

Distribution and habitat

This species inhabits the inshore shallow sandy seabed in the Indo-West Pacific (Red Sea to Papua New Guinea; north to Japan and south to New South Wales).^[2]

Description

Shells of Paratapes undulatus can reach a length of 6.5 centimetres (2.6 in).^[2]

Right and left valve of the same specimen:

• 
  Right valve
• 
  Left valve

Human culture

These clams are a popular food in most Asian countries including China, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Gallery

• 
  Paratapes undulatus, museum specimen
• 
  Paratapes undulatus used as food in Thailand