The taxonomic term Bivalvia was first used by Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae in 1758 to refer to animals having shells composed of two valves. [3] . More recently, the class was known as Pelecypoda, meaning " axe -foot" (based on the shape of the foot of the animal when extended).

Efforts at bivalve classification and phylogenetic analysis have traditionally been based on prominent morphological features such as gill structure, stomach morphology, hinge teeth, siphons, etc. More recently, molecular data have begun to play a much more important role.

Bivalve, (class Bivalvia), any of more than 15,000 species of clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and other members of the phylum Mollusca characterized by a shell that is divided from front to back into left and right valves.

The 2010 taxonomy was published as Nomenclator of Bivalve Families with a Classification of Bivalve Families. [1] This was a revised system for classifying bivalve mollusks such as clams, oysters, scallops, mussels and so on.

Shell microstructure and mineralogy evidence generally support paleontological conclusions that the class Bivalvia comprises six subclasses, recognizing, however, that some of these taxa may have more than one first ancestor (polyphyletic).

May 7, 2010 · Some 1,048 names at the rank of subtribe, tribe, subfamily, family and superfamily have been proposed for Recent and fossil bivalves. All names are listed in a nomenclator giving full...

Ask your students to do some research on the taxonomic authorities of bivalve species. Notice the varied professions that these people held (professor, geologist, museum curator, “naturalist”). For example, many bivalve species are credited to “Linnaeus, 1758.”

Examine shells of different families of bivalves; what distinguishes each group?

Oct 1, 2011 · The following classification summarizes the suprageneric taxonomy of the Bivalvia for the upcoming revision of the Bivalvia volumes of the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part N.

Taxonomic hierarchy of Class Bivalvia Linnaeus, 1758. Display of synonyms, alternative taxonomic positions, references, number of subtaxa, and phylogenetic/bibliographic position can be switched on/off. Subtaxa can be ordered by name or phylogenetic/bibliographic position.