West Atlantic Surfclam

spisula solidissima

The West Atlantic Surfclam, also known as the bar clam or hen clam, is a large, robust marine bivalve native to the western Atlantic Ocean. Thriving in the turbulent waters of the sandy surf zone, this impressive clam plays an essential role in its coastal ecosystem by filtering immense quantities of seawater and helping to stabilize shifting sands. It is one of the most commercially valuable clam species in North America, widely harvested for seafood dishes like clam chowders and fried clam strips. Despite heavy harvesting pressures, active management and sustainable fishing practices have helped maintain healthy populations of this resilient mollusk.

Hábitat: Found in the shallow subtidal zone of sandy beaches and continental shelves, typically burrowed in clean sand from the low tide mark down to depths of about 60 meters.

Aspecto

The West Atlantic Surfclam features a large, heavy, and triangularly oval shell that typically reaches 10 to 22 centimeters in length. The shell's exterior is relatively smooth with fine, concentric growth lines and is covered in a thin, yellowish-brown outer skin that often wears away to reveal a chalky, off-white base. Inside, the shell is smooth and white, featuring a prominent, spoon-shaped hinge cavity where the internal ligament attaches, distinguishing it from other beach-dwelling bivalves.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloMolluscaClaseBivalviaOrdenVeneridaFamiliaMactridaeGéneroSpisula

West Atlantic Surfclam

Categoría

Invertebrate

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!

Datos interesantes

A single female surfclam can release up to several self-produced millions of eggs into the water column during a single spawning event.

Much like counting the rings of a tree, scientists can determine the precise age of a surfclam by counting the annual growth lines on its cross-sectioned shell.

They are the primary species harvested for the commercial clam strip and clam chowder industries in the United States.

Habilidades especiales

Uses a highly muscular, tongue-shaped foot to anchor itself and quickly pull its shell deep into loose, wet sand to escape heavy waves and predators.

Capable of processing gallons of seawater every hour, filtering out organic particles and plankton while purifying the local aquatic environment.

Features long, muscular siphons that extend to the surface of the sand to draw in oxygenated water and food while keeping the body safely buried.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 10-22 cm
Peso: 0.2-0.9 kg
Esperanza de vida: 15-40 años
Incubación: 18-35 días

Dieta y alimentación

As a suspension feeder, it sucks in seawater through its incurrent siphon, using its gills to trap microscopic organisms and organic particles.

Diferencias por edad: Planktonic larvae feed exclusively on tiny microalgae, while settled adults filter a wider variety of phytoplankton and organic particulate matter.

Alimentos principales

Diatoms
Dinoflagellates
Microscopic algae
Suspended organic detritus

Método de búsqueda

Filtering

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Atlantic Moon Snail

Neverita duplicata

Prays upon the surfclam by drilling a neat, countersunk hole directly through its thick shell to consume the soft inner tissues.

eaten by

Forbes Sea Star

Asterias forbesi

Uses its powerful water vascular system and tube feet to pry open young surfclams on the ocean floor.

eaten by

Human

Homo sapiens

Harvests adult surfclams on a massive commercial scale using hydraulic dredges for food products.

Rasgos

Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.

También conocido como

Todavía no hay alias listados.

Colecciones

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Seguridad

Peligro

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Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cómo identificar a West Atlantic Surfclam?

La forma más fácil de identificar a West Atlantic Surfclam es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.

¿Cuál es el longitud de West Atlantic Surfclam?

10-22 cm

¿Cuál es el peso de West Atlantic Surfclam?

0.2-0.9 kg

¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de West Atlantic Surfclam?

15-40 años

¿Qué come West Atlantic Surfclam?

As a suspension feeder, it sucks in seawater through its incurrent siphon, using its gills to trap microscopic organisms and organic particles.

¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente West Atlantic Surfclam?

Found in the shallow subtidal zone of sandy beaches and continental shelves, typically burrowed in clean sand from the low tide mark down to depths of about 60 meters.

¿Cómo caza West Atlantic Surfclam?

Filtering

¿Cuál es el incubación de West Atlantic Surfclam?

18-35 días