This Inoceramus specimen on limestone clump is from Cretaceous Trichy, India.

Name: Inoceramus (Strong pot).
Phonetic: In-o-cer-a-mus.
Named By: James Sowerby – 1814.
Classification: Mollusca, Bivalvia, Pteriomorphia, Praecardioida, Inoceramidae.
Species: I. bellvuensis, I. biformis, I. comancheanus, I. dakotensis, I. perplexus, I. pictus, I. proximus, I. triangularis.
Type: Filter feeder.
Size: Largest specimen measures 1.87 meters.
Known locations: Worldwide.
Time period: Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Lots of specimens recovered.

Inoceramus

Inoceramus is the largest known bivalve clam in the fossil record. It is thought that it grew so large so that it could have a larger gill area to cope with oxygen deficient waters. Like smaller versions, Inoceramus would have opened its shell to expose its soft tissue and filter food from the water. When threatened it would then close up to protect the fleshy parts within.