Placunidae

Placunidae, also known as windowpane oysters, windowpane shells, and Capiz shells, are a taxonomic family of saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks which are related to oysters and scallops.

Windowpane oysters
Placuna placenta shells
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Pectinida
Family: Placunidae
Rafinesque, 1815
Genus: Placuna
Lightfoot, 1786
Species
    • Placuna ephippium (Philipsson, 1788)
    • Placuna lincolnii (Gray, 1849)
    • Placuna lobata G. B. Sowerby II, 1871
    • Placuna placenta (Linnaeus, 1758)
    • Placuna quadrangula (Philipsson, 1788)

This family is best known for the shells of the species Placuna placenta, which are translucent, and are commonly used in shellcraft production. In some cultures, they are cut into 2" x 2" and pressed by a 1/4" wood and are used as a form of light-admitting window. This shells are a bit reflective and are even used as room movable divider (partition).

The family is closely related to the Anomiidae (saddle oysters). One of the main differences is that the Placunidae do not attach themselves to a hard surface but are instead a mud-living family.

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