Mya arenaria Linnaeus, 1758

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Biology/Natural History: This clam has been introduced from the Atlantic, being first seen in San Francisco Bay in 1874. It slowly spread north, and reached Alaska in the 1950's. By the 1920's it seems to have largely displaced the native clams in San Francisco Bay. This clam has long siphons, and can be 20-35 cm below the surface. It can live anaerobically for several days, and dissolves the shell to buffer acidity in these conditions. In San Francisco Bay its optimal intertidal depth is 30 cm above zero tide line. The siphons appear as slits at the surface of the mud, and emit a spurt of water as they contract if one steps near them. This clam burrows only slowly, without using the foot much. Burrowing is by closing the valves and forcefully ejecting water. Predators include skates, rays, and sharks. Predators in Europe include oystercatchers and curlews, from which the clams have a refuge in depth if over 15 cm deep. May contain pea crab symbionts. Mature at about 2-4.5 cm, and spawn in spring or summer. This species is highly esteemed for food.

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Rights holder/AuthorDave Cowles, Jonathan Cowles, Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
Sourcehttp://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Mollusca/Bivalvia/Myoida/Myidae/Mya_arenaria.html

Geographical Range: Norton Sound, AK to Elkhorn Slough, Monterey, CA; Japan, Kamchatka, North Atlantic, North and Baltic Seas

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
Rights holder/AuthorDave Cowles, Jonathan Cowles, Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
Sourcehttp://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Mollusca/Bivalvia/Myoida/Myidae/Mya_arenaria.html

Living Material:

The adults must be kept in clean aquaria and occasionally allowed to lie exposed. Foul water and continuous submergence are unfavorable (Kellogg, 1899).

  • Just, E. E., 1939. Basic Methods for Experiments on Eggs of Marine Animals. P. Blakiston's Son & Co., Inc., Philadelphia.
  • Loosanoff, V. L., 1954. New advances in the study of bivalve larvae. Amer. Sci., 42: 607-624.
  • Ayers, J. C., 1956. Population dynamics of the marine clam, Mya arenaria. Limn. and Oceanog., 1: 26-34.
  • Battle, H. I., 1932. Rhythmic sexual maturity and spawning of certain bivalve mollusks. Contr. Canadian Biol. and Fish., 7: 255-276.
  • Belding, D. L., 1915. A report upon the clam fishery. 50th Ann. Rep., Comm. Fish and Game, Massachusetts, pp. 93-234.
  • Bumpus, H. C., 1898. The breeding habits of animals at Woods Holl during the months of June, July and August. Science, 8: 850-858.
  • Kellogg, J. L., 1899. Special report on the life-history of the common clam, Mya arenaria. 29th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1898, pp. 78-95.
  • Mead, A. D., 1900. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 30th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island 1899, pp. 20-42.
  • Mead, A. D., 1901. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 31st Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1900, pp. 21-44.
  • Mead, A. D., 1902. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 32nd Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1901, pp. 20-33.
  • Mead, A. D., and E. W. Barnes, 1903. Observations on the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria). 33rd Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1902, pp. 29-48.
  • Mead, A. D., and E. W. Barnes, 1904. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 34th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1903, pp. 29-68.
  • Nelson, T. C., 1928. On the distribution of critical temperatures for spawning and for ciliary activity in bivalve molluscs. Science, 67: 220-221.
  • Prytherch, H. F., 1937. The cultivation of lamellibranch larvae. In: Culture Methods for Invertebrate Animals, edit. by Galtsoff et al., Comstock, Ithaca, pp. 539-543.
  • Stafford, J., 1901. The clam fishery of Passamaquoddy Bay. Contr. Canadian Biol., 1901, pp. 19-40.
  • Stafford, J., 1909. On the recognition of bivalve larvae in plankton collections. Contr. Canadian Biol., 1906-1910, pp. 221-242.
  • Sullivan, C. M., 1948. Bivalve larvae of Malpeque Bay, P. E. I. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada, no. 77, pp. 1-36.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCostello, D.P., C. Henley, Datasets
Sourcehttp://hermes.mbl.edu/BiologicalBulletin/EGGCOMP/pages/33.html

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Mya truncata and Platyodon cancellatus have a truncate posterior end and rarely exceed 7 cm. This species may be found along with horse clams such as Tresus capax and may look like a small individual of that species or especially like Tresus nuttallii, but the horse clams such Tresus capax have a chondrophore in BOTH valves and a large gape between the valves at the posterior end (photo).

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
Rights holder/AuthorDave Cowles, Jonathan Cowles, Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
Sourcehttp://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Mollusca/Bivalvia/Myoida/Myidae/Mya_arenaria.html

Developmental Rate:

As the trochophore forms, the body becomes elongated and the cilia become confined to the anterior part of the body. A primitive mouth is present, and opposite it the shell gland develops. The 24-hour larva is a typical lamellibranch veliger with a transparent, bivalved, hinged shell, an apical flagellum, and a round, ciliated velum. In the older veliger, the velum degenerates and is replaced by the foot as an organ of locomotion. Mantle, gills heart and a pair of otocysts develop prior to metamorphosis. Figures of the older larvae and fixation stages may be found in papers by Kellogg (1899), Mead (1900) and Stafford (1909).

  • Just, E. E., 1939. Basic Methods for Experiments on Eggs of Marine Animals. P. Blakiston's Son & Co., Inc., Philadelphia.
  • Loosanoff, V. L., 1954. New advances in the study of bivalve larvae. Amer. Sci., 42: 607-624.
  • Ayers, J. C., 1956. Population dynamics of the marine clam, Mya arenaria. Limn. and Oceanog., 1: 26-34.
  • Battle, H. I., 1932. Rhythmic sexual maturity and spawning of certain bivalve mollusks. Contr. Canadian Biol. and Fish., 7: 255-276.
  • Belding, D. L., 1915. A report upon the clam fishery. 50th Ann. Rep., Comm. Fish and Game, Massachusetts, pp. 93-234.
  • Bumpus, H. C., 1898. The breeding habits of animals at Woods Holl during the months of June, July and August. Science, 8: 850-858.
  • Kellogg, J. L., 1899. Special report on the life-history of the common clam, Mya arenaria. 29th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1898, pp. 78-95.
  • Mead, A. D., 1900. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 30th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island 1899, pp. 20-42.
  • Mead, A. D., 1901. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 31st Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1900, pp. 21-44.
  • Mead, A. D., 1902. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 32nd Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1901, pp. 20-33.
  • Mead, A. D., and E. W. Barnes, 1903. Observations on the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria). 33rd Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1902, pp. 29-48.
  • Mead, A. D., and E. W. Barnes, 1904. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 34th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1903, pp. 29-68.
  • Nelson, T. C., 1928. On the distribution of critical temperatures for spawning and for ciliary activity in bivalve molluscs. Science, 67: 220-221.
  • Prytherch, H. F., 1937. The cultivation of lamellibranch larvae. In: Culture Methods for Invertebrate Animals, edit. by Galtsoff et al., Comstock, Ithaca, pp. 539-543.
  • Stafford, J., 1901. The clam fishery of Passamaquoddy Bay. Contr. Canadian Biol., 1901, pp. 19-40.
  • Stafford, J., 1909. On the recognition of bivalve larvae in plankton collections. Contr. Canadian Biol., 1906-1910, pp. 221-242.
  • Sullivan, C. M., 1948. Bivalve larvae of Malpeque Bay, P. E. I. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada, no. 77, pp. 1-36.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCostello, D.P., C. Henley, Datasets
Sourcehttp://hermes.mbl.edu/BiologicalBulletin/EGGCOMP/pages/33.html

Habitat:

intertidal, bathyal, infralittoral and circalittoral of the Gulf and estuary

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rights holder/AuthorThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License
Sourcehttp://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140430

Later Stages of Development and Metamorphosis:

The soft-shell clam is found between tide lines and in shallow water, on mud flats and under stones. It may be collected in many such areas around Woods Hole, Mass. (including Rand's Harbor), but is not abundant. The sexes are separate; however, they cannot be distinguished unless the gonads are cut open and the sexual products examined.

Spawning begins when the sea water temperature rises above 10 to 12° C. (Nelson, 1928), and, according to Just (1939), extends throughout the summer. Observations by Bumpus (1898), Kellogg (1899), and Mead (1901), however, limit it to May and June. gelding (1915) recorded spawning in June and July, but we have seen only spent females at the beginning of July. The discrepancy might be explained if there is a second peak of gamete production in late summer, as suggested by Battle (1932) and, more recently, by Sullivan (1948). The latter observed an increase of young larvae at the beginning of August in plankton taken at Prince Edward Island.

  • Just, E. E., 1939. Basic Methods for Experiments on Eggs of Marine Animals. P. Blakiston's Son & Co., Inc., Philadelphia.
  • Loosanoff, V. L., 1954. New advances in the study of bivalve larvae. Amer. Sci., 42: 607-624.
  • Ayers, J. C., 1956. Population dynamics of the marine clam, Mya arenaria. Limn. and Oceanog., 1: 26-34.
  • Battle, H. I., 1932. Rhythmic sexual maturity and spawning of certain bivalve mollusks. Contr. Canadian Biol. and Fish., 7: 255-276.
  • Belding, D. L., 1915. A report upon the clam fishery. 50th Ann. Rep., Comm. Fish and Game, Massachusetts, pp. 93-234.
  • Bumpus, H. C., 1898. The breeding habits of animals at Woods Holl during the months of June, July and August. Science, 8: 850-858.
  • Kellogg, J. L., 1899. Special report on the life-history of the common clam, Mya arenaria. 29th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1898, pp. 78-95.
  • Mead, A. D., 1900. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 30th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island 1899, pp. 20-42.
  • Mead, A. D., 1901. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 31st Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1900, pp. 21-44.
  • Mead, A. D., 1902. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 32nd Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1901, pp. 20-33.
  • Mead, A. D., and E. W. Barnes, 1903. Observations on the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria). 33rd Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1902, pp. 29-48.
  • Mead, A. D., and E. W. Barnes, 1904. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 34th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1903, pp. 29-68.
  • Nelson, T. C., 1928. On the distribution of critical temperatures for spawning and for ciliary activity in bivalve molluscs. Science, 67: 220-221.
  • Prytherch, H. F., 1937. The cultivation of lamellibranch larvae. In: Culture Methods for Invertebrate Animals, edit. by Galtsoff et al., Comstock, Ithaca, pp. 539-543.
  • Stafford, J., 1901. The clam fishery of Passamaquoddy Bay. Contr. Canadian Biol., 1901, pp. 19-40.
  • Stafford, J., 1909. On the recognition of bivalve larvae in plankton collections. Contr. Canadian Biol., 1906-1910, pp. 221-242.
  • Sullivan, C. M., 1948. Bivalve larvae of Malpeque Bay, P. E. I. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada, no. 77, pp. 1-36.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCostello, D.P., C. Henley, Datasets
Sourcehttp://hermes.mbl.edu/BiologicalBulletin/EGGCOMP/pages/33.html

Depth range based on 3325 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 95 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): -99 - 329
  Temperature range (°C): 4.685 - 23.636
  Nitrate (umol/L): 0.325 - 13.953
  Salinity (PPS): 6.151 - 35.785
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.747 - 8.227
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.110 - 1.208
  Silicate (umol/l): 0.756 - 16.169

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): -99 - 329

Temperature range (°C): 4.685 - 23.636

Nitrate (umol/L): 0.325 - 13.953

Salinity (PPS): 6.151 - 35.785

Oxygen (ml/l): 4.747 - 8.227

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.110 - 1.208

Silicate (umol/l): 0.756 - 16.169
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Rights holder/AuthorOcean Biogeographic Information System
Sourcehttp://www.iobis.org/mapper/?taxon_id=474143

Cleavage:

The blastula develop in about 9 hours, and trochophores by 12 hours after insemination. The veliger larvae may be seen in about 36 hours. In Massachusetts waters, the larvae spend about two weeks at the swimming stage, before settling to the bottom as spat (Ayers, 1956).

  • Just, E. E., 1939. Basic Methods for Experiments on Eggs of Marine Animals. P. Blakiston's Son & Co., Inc., Philadelphia.
  • Loosanoff, V. L., 1954. New advances in the study of bivalve larvae. Amer. Sci., 42: 607-624.
  • Ayers, J. C., 1956. Population dynamics of the marine clam, Mya arenaria. Limn. and Oceanog., 1: 26-34.
  • Battle, H. I., 1932. Rhythmic sexual maturity and spawning of certain bivalve mollusks. Contr. Canadian Biol. and Fish., 7: 255-276.
  • Belding, D. L., 1915. A report upon the clam fishery. 50th Ann. Rep., Comm. Fish and Game, Massachusetts, pp. 93-234.
  • Bumpus, H. C., 1898. The breeding habits of animals at Woods Holl during the months of June, July and August. Science, 8: 850-858.
  • Kellogg, J. L., 1899. Special report on the life-history of the common clam, Mya arenaria. 29th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1898, pp. 78-95.
  • Mead, A. D., 1900. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 30th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island 1899, pp. 20-42.
  • Mead, A. D., 1901. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 31st Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1900, pp. 21-44.
  • Mead, A. D., 1902. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 32nd Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1901, pp. 20-33.
  • Mead, A. D., and E. W. Barnes, 1903. Observations on the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria). 33rd Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1902, pp. 29-48.
  • Mead, A. D., and E. W. Barnes, 1904. Observations on the soft-shell clam. 34th Ann. Rep., Comm. Inland Fish., Rhode Island, 1903, pp. 29-68.
  • Nelson, T. C., 1928. On the distribution of critical temperatures for spawning and for ciliary activity in bivalve molluscs. Science, 67: 220-221.
  • Prytherch, H. F., 1937. The cultivation of lamellibranch larvae. In: Culture Methods for Invertebrate Animals, edit. by Galtsoff et al., Comstock, Ithaca, pp. 539-543.
  • Stafford, J., 1901. The clam fishery of Passamaquoddy Bay. Contr. Canadian Biol., 1901, pp. 19-40.
  • Stafford, J., 1909. On the recognition of bivalve larvae in plankton collections. Contr. Canadian Biol., 1906-1910, pp. 221-242.
  • Sullivan, C. M., 1948. Bivalve larvae of Malpeque Bay, P. E. I. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada, no. 77, pp. 1-36.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCostello, D.P., C. Henley, Datasets
Sourcehttp://hermes.mbl.edu/BiologicalBulletin/EGGCOMP/pages/33.html

Habitat:

 Mya arenaria lives in burrows up to 50 cm deep in sand, mud, sandy mud, and sandy gravels from the mid shore to the shallow sublittoral, sometimes to a depth of 192 m. Often abundant on estuarine flats where it can survive at salinities as low as 4-5 psu.

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Rights holder/Author ©1998-2011, The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Sourcehttp://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3839
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith