Lamarck, 1809
Shell equivalve, inequilateral, often elongate or irregular; sculpture often pronounced anteriorly, forming a rasping file which assists the animal in boring. Typically gaping along part or all of the anterior, ventral and posterior margins. Ligament internal, reduced; hinge teeth absent. Antero-dorsal margin reflected, curving back towards umbones. Accessory plates present along the dorsal margin: a protoplax anterior to umbones, a mesoplax above or immediately posterior to the umbones and a metaplax posteriorly; not always present together. Additional elements may be developed to close an impermanent pedal gape, or to protect posteriorly projecting siphons. Foot muscles supported, in each valve, by a long, curved process extending ventrally from beneath the umbo. Pallial line with a sinus.
Source: Hayward, 1990.
The following subtaxa of this family occur in the region:
Genus Barnea
Barnea candida
Barnea parva
Genus Pholas
Pholas dactylus
Genus Zirfaea
Zirfaea crispata