Malleidae
# Malleidae

Malleidae, or hammer oysters, is a family of saltwater clams. They are related to the pearl oysters, in the order Pteriida and the superfamily Pterioidea.

The shells of most of these animals are T-shaped, with the hinge along the top of the T, and with the byssus emerging from the hinge. An oblique ligament holds the hinge. The shell is partially nacreous. There is a single, large adductor muscle. The exhalant current exits at the hinge.

Most hammer oysters live in tropical, coralline areas.

## Genera

* Malleus Lamarck, 1799
* Neoaviculovulsa Okutani & Kusakari, 1987
* Vulsella

The following genera have been brought into synonymy.

* Brevimalleus McLean, 1947 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
* Fundella Gregorio, 1884 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
* Himantopoda Schumacher, 1817 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
* Malleolus Rafinesque, 1815 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
* Malvufundus de Gregorio, 1885 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
* Parimalleus Iredale, 1931 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
* Tudes Oken, 1815 accepted as Malleus Lamarck, 1799
