clam articles

What is the scientific name for the hard clam central to North American Eastern Seaboard culinary tradition?

What is the scientific name for the hard clam central to North American Eastern Seaboard culinary tradition?

Which difference is cited as the most striking feature immediately separating the hard clam from the ocean quahog?

Which difference is cited as the most striking feature immediately separating the hard clam from the ocean quahog?

Which culinary size designation applies to the largest hard clams, best suited for traditional New England clam chowder?

Which culinary size designation applies to the largest hard clams, best suited for traditional New England clam chowder?

Approximately how far can a hard clam move across the sandy ocean floor during a fifteen-minute period?

Approximately how far can a hard clam move across the sandy ocean floor during a fifteen-minute period?

What biological term describes the reproductive strategy where a hard clam starts life as male and may later transition to female?

What biological term describes the reproductive strategy where a hard clam starts life as male and may later transition to female?

What is the name given to the microscopic, free-swimming larvae that hatch from the hard clam egg within 12 to 14 hours?

What is the name given to the microscopic, free-swimming larvae that hatch from the hard clam egg within 12 to 14 hours?

What substance makes up the primary composition of the hard clam's thick, robust shell?

What substance makes up the primary composition of the hard clam's thick, robust shell?

What Native American word is considered the likely linguistic ancestor of the modern term 'Quahog'?

What Native American word is considered the likely linguistic ancestor of the modern term 'Quahog'?

What defense mechanism, aside from burrowing, might a scared hard clam deploy to create a momentary diversion?

What defense mechanism, aside from burrowing, might a scared hard clam deploy to create a momentary diversion?

What environmental threat causes the accumulation of toxins like saxitoxin in clam tissues following certain marine algae blooms?

What environmental threat causes the accumulation of toxins like saxitoxin in clam tissues following certain marine algae blooms?

What key ecological advantage do farmed hard clams offer regarding their diet once they are past the larval stage?

What key ecological advantage do farmed hard clams offer regarding their diet once they are past the larval stage?

How did early English settlers generally view the hard clam when they first arrived?

How did early English settlers generally view the hard clam when they first arrived?

What title is given to *Tridacna gigas* regarding its physical classification?

What title is given to *Tridacna gigas* regarding its physical classification?

What is the primary method by which adult giant clams secure themselves?

What is the primary method by which adult giant clams secure themselves?

What is the approximate maximum shell length reported for a *Tridacna gigas*?

What is the approximate maximum shell length reported for a *Tridacna gigas*?

What is the common lifespan associated with giant clams?

What is the common lifespan associated with giant clams?

What microscopic organisms live symbiotically within the clam's mantle tissues?

What microscopic organisms live symbiotically within the clam's mantle tissues?

What key benefit do zooxanthellae provide to the giant clam?

What key benefit do zooxanthellae provide to the giant clam?

What is the upper range cited for the weight of a mature giant clam?

What is the upper range cited for the weight of a mature giant clam?

Which related species is significantly smaller, rarely exceeding one foot in length?

Which related species is significantly smaller, rarely exceeding one foot in length?

Historically, what was the primary reason shells of giant clams were sought after by humans besides meat?

Historically, what was the primary reason shells of giant clams were sought after by humans besides meat?

Over a century, how many liters of water is a 500-pound clam estimated to filter based on the conservative rate provided?

Over a century, how many liters of water is a 500-pound clam estimated to filter based on the conservative rate provided?

In which broad geographic region are giant clams primarily found?

In which broad geographic region are giant clams primarily found?