Observations on Australian Solemyidae

Abstract

Two species of Australian Solemyidae are examined. Gross structure, the condition of the gut, the histological organization of the gills, and the presence of intracellular gill bacteria are noted. Solemya velesiana (Iredale) is a small, intertidal protobranch with large ctenidia, and a functional gut. The species oxidizes sulphide and intracellular gill symbionts appear to contribute to its economy. Museum specimens of a species assigned to Solemya australis Lamarck also have large ctenidia with intracellular bacteria. The gut of this species is much reduced and the organism thus must be more dependent on sulphide-oxidizing symbiosis.