The Tellinidae are a family of marine bivalve molluscs of the order Cardiida. Commonly known as tellins or tellens, they live fairly deep in soft sediments in shallow seas and respire using long siphons that reach up to the surface of the sediment.Bouchet, P. (2012). Tellinidae. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=235 on 2012-07-04
Characteristics Tellinids have rounded or oval, elongated shells, much flattened. The two valves are connected by a large external ligament. The two separate siphons are exceptionally long, sometimes several times the length of the shell. These siphons have a characteristic cruciform muscle at their base.Barrett, J. H. and C. M. Yonge, 1958. Collins Pocket Guide to the Sea Shore. P. 160. Collins, London
Selected genera
Abranda Iredale, 1924 Acorylus Olsson & Harbison, 1953 Aenigmotellina Matsukuma, 1989 † Aenona Conrad, 1870 Afsharius M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Agnomyax Stewart, 1930 Alaona M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Ameritella M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Angulinides M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Angulus Megerle von Mühlfeld, 1811 Arcopagia Leach in Brown, 1827 Asthenometis M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Austromacoma Olsson, 1961 † Bartrumia Marwick, 1934 † Barytellina Marwick, 1924 Bathyangulus M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Bathytellina Kuroda & Habe, 1958 Bosemprella M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Cadella Dall, Bartsch & Rehder, 1938 Coanyax M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Confusella M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Cyclotellina Wenz, 1923 Cymatoica Dall, 1889 Dellius M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Elliptotellina Cossmann, 1886 Eurytellina P. Fischer, 1887 † Finlayella Laws, 1933 Florimetis Olsson & Harbison, 1953 Gastrana Schumacher, 1817 Hanleyanus M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Herouvalia Cossmann, 1892 Idatellina M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Indentina M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Indotellina M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Jactellina Iredale, 1929 Jitlada M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Laciolina Iredale, 1937 Leporimetis Iredale, 1930 Limecola T. Brown, 1844 Loxoglypta Dall, Bartsch & Rehder, 1938 Macoma Leach, 1819 Macomona Finlay, 1927 Macomopsis Sacco, 1901 Macoploma Pilsbry & Olsson, 1941 Merisca Dall, 1900 Moerella P. Fischer, 1887 Nitidotellina Scarlato, 1961 Obtellina Iredale, 1929 Omala Schumacher, 1817 Oudardia Monterosato, 1884 Pallidea M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Peronaea Poli, 1791 Pharaonella Lamy, 1918 Phyllodina Dall, 1900 Praetextellina M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Pristipagia Iredale, 1936 Psammacoma Dall, 1900 Psammotreta Dall, 1900 Pseudarcopagia Bertin, 1878 Pseudocadella M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Pseudomacalia M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Pseudopsammobia M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Pseudotellidora M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Punipagia Iredale, 1930 Quadrans Bertin, 1878 Quidnipagus (Iredale, 1929) Scissula Dall, 1900 Scissulina Dall, 1924 Scutarcopagia Pilsbry, 1918 Semelangulus Iredale, 1924 Senegona M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Serratina Pallary, 1922 Strigilla Turton, 1822 Sylvanus M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Tampaella M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015 Tellidora Mörch, 1856 Tellina Linnaeus, 1758 Tellinangulus Thiele, 1934 Tellinella Mörch, 1853 Tellinota Iredale, 1936 Temnoconcha Dall, 1921 Tonganaella M. Huber, Langleit & Kreipl, 2015
References
Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 Glen Pownall, New Zealand Shells and Shellfish, Seven Seas Publishing Pty Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand 1979