Lunulicardia hemicardium BIRUG 19130

3D Model

BIRUG 19130 is a recent specimen of Lunulicardia hemicardium, sometimes known as the ‘half heart cockle’. This bivalve is found around the coasts of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, where it lives on sandy substrates in subtidal and intertidal zones to a depth of around 20 metres.

This species of clam is a suspension feeder, usually remaining stationary, though is capable of movement when necessary.

The name Lunulicardia hemicardium means ‘moon-heart half-heart’; the word ‘heart’ here likely refers to the shape of the animal’s shell. ‘Moon’ in this situation is likely in reference to the presence of a structure called a “lunule” on the shell, which resembles a half moon.

This specimen was collected from the Philippines in 1884 by G. B. Sowerby III, was donated to the Lapworth in 1916 and was scanned by Sian Miller using an Artec Spider 3D scanner.