Arks
Family: Arcidae

Arks are boxy bivalves with thick, white, ribbed shells. They live in the salty waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay.

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Arks use their large foot to firmly anchor themselves in the sand or mud. (Bill Frank/www.jaxshells.org)

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Appearance

Three species of arks can be found in the Chesapeake Bay: the ponderous ark, Noetia ponderosa, the blood ark, Anadara ovalis, and transverse ark, Anadara transversa.

Arks have thick, white, boxy shells with many ribs. Ponderous arks are heart-shaped when viewed from the side. Blood arks and ponderous arks are often covered with a thick, dark brown, felt-like "periostracum," or outer-most layer. The ponderous ark is the largest of the three species, growing to 2.5 inches in length. The transverse ark is the smallest, growing to about 1 inch in length.

Feeding

Arks eat plankton and detritus, feeding through a figure eight-shaped opening in the mantle.

Reproduction and life cycle

Spawning occurs throughout most of the year, with peaks in summer and autumn. As a juvenile and adult, an ark will settle on the bottom and use its foot to anchor itself.

Did you know?

  • Arks’ thick, heavy shells are able to withstand strong waves and currents.
  • Ark shells are often found washed up on lower Bay beaches.
  • The blood ark gets its name from its red blood; most other bivalves have clear blood.

Sources and additional information

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