About Donax hanleyanus R.A.Philippi, 1847
Donax hanleyanus, R.A.Philippi, 1847, is a species of marine bivalve mollusk in the family Donacidae, the bean clams or wedge shells. It has the common name wedge clam. In Argentina and Uruguay, it is locally called berberecho, and in Brazil, at least in Rio de Janeiro state, it is locally known as sarnambi. This species is widely distributed along the sandy Atlantic coast beaches of South America, ranging from Brazil to Argentina. Donax hanleyanus is a productive member of Argentinian ecosystems and is classified as a keystone species. It fulfills a critical ecological role in nutrient cycling, which benefits other organisms that share its habitat. This species feeds via filter feeding, which cleans the surrounding water. It also stabilizes sediment, which improves oxygen flow through the water. While it is small and not visually striking, it is an extremely important component of the ecosystems in its native habitat.
