Phaxas

{{Short description|Genus of bivalves}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image =Phaxas tenellus (MNHN-IM-2000-33065).jpeg

| image_caption =Shell of Phaxas tenellus (holotype at MNHN, Paris)

| taxon = Phaxas

| authority = Leach in Gray, 1852

|synonyms_ref=

|synonyms=

  • Cultellus (Cultrensis) Coen, 1933
  • Cultrensis Coen, 1933
  • Phaxas (Phaxas) Leach in Gray, 1852
  • Phaxus [sic] (misspelling)

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision = See text

|display_parents= 3

}}

Phaxas is a genus of small razor shells in the family Pharidae. Members of the genus have a pair of elongate valves and live in soft sediments on the sea bed. They have a muscular foot with which they can dig rapidly and a short siphon which they extend to the surface of the substrate. They are suspension feeders.Barrett, J. & C. M. Yonge (1958) Collins Pocket Guide to the Sea Shore. Collins, London

Species

The following species are recognised:[http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138335 World Register of Marine Species]

Species brought into synonymy:

  • Phaxas adriaticus (Coen, 1933): synonym of Phaxas pellucidus (Pennant, 1777)
  • Phaxas cultellus (Linnaeus, 1758): synonym of Ensiculus cultellus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Phaxas decipiens (E. A. Smith, 1904) accepted as Afrophaxas decipiens (E. A. Smith, 1904)

References

{{Reflist}}

  • Coen G. (1933). Molluschi nuovi di Rovigno. Note dell'Istituto Italo-Germanico di Biologia marina di Rovigno d'Istria, 6: 1-8, 1 pl.
  • Vaught, K.C.; Tucker Abbott, R.; Boss, K.J. (1989). A classification of the living Mollusca. American Malacologists: Melbourne. ISBN 0-915826-22-4. XII, 195 pp.