Introduction

Solemya velesiana is a marine bivalve mollusc from Australia.It belongs to the family Solemyidae - one of the most ancient groups of bivalves with fossil species recognised from the early Ordovician period, 475 million years ago.These bivalves have thin flexible shells. The animal is very active and moves with its large extendable foot that is fringed with tentacles. Solemya can swim using jet propulsion by muscle contractions that rapidly close and open the shell.Solemya spp are dependent on bacteria that live in their gills for survival. The bacteria convert dissolved hydrogen sulphide in the surrounding water into carbohydrates that the bivalves absorb for nutrition.