About Archivesica marissinica

The Deep-Sea Chemosymbiotic Clam Archivesica marissinica is a species of deep-sea clam in the family Vesicomyidae, commonly found at the Haima cold seep on the northwest continental slope of the South China Sea. This species is well-adapted to extreme environments and relies on symbiotic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria housed in its gills for nutrition. Archivesica marissinica plays a significant role in cold seep ecosystems by contributing to nutrient cycling and supporting diverse microbial and faunal communities.

Animalia (Kingdom); Mollusca (Phylum); Bivalvia (Class); Autobranchia (Subclass); Venerida (Order); Vesicomyidae (Family); Archivesica (Genus); Archivesica marissinica (Species)

Archivesica marissinica (Chen, Okutani, Liang & Qiu, 2018)

1. Chen C, Okutani T, Liang Q, et al. A noteworthy new species of the family Vesicomyidae from the South China Sea (Bivalvia: Glossoidea)[J]. Venus (Journal of the Malacological Society of Japan), 2018, 76(1-4): 29-37. (Chen et al., 2018)

Shell thin, rather lightly-built, chalky, elongate-oval in profile, slightly attenuated in front and somewhat flared posteriorly. Shell height about a quarter of shell length. Umbo situated at about 20% anteriorly, with weakly prosogyrous beaks. External surface covered by straw-colored, varnished periostracum, which is occasionally commarginally lamellate, particularly in front of umbonal region and marginal region. Periostracum corroded behind umbonal region suggesting presence of boundary between buried portion and exposed portion. Round antero- dorsal and anterior margins gently continuous to sub-straight ventral margin. No lunule present. Posterior margin also round. A low, obscure radial ridge running from umbo to postero-ventral corner. Escutcheon not demarcated, dorso-posterior margin weakly convex, representing greatest position in shell height, and generating nearly flat area between dorsal margin and dorsal rim of radial ridge. Ligament amphidetic, strong, extending about half length from umbo to posterior tip. Calcareous fibrous layer rather weak

meaning “Chinese Sea”

Hitherto known only from the type locality: Haima methane seep, south off Hainan Island. 1,372–1,398 meters depth