Habitat
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Low intertidal and subtidal on flat, sandy exposed beaches. Burrows deeply and rapidly into the sand.
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Habitat
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Depth Range: Intertidal to 55 m
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Comprehensive Description
provided by Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
As with all members of family Cultellidae, this large clam species is more than twice as long as it is wide, has a true hinge plate, 2 adductor muscle scars of similar size, and a shiny brown or olive periostracum. They are not more than 3x as long as high, and the dorsal margin is not concave. Siliqua patula is a large clam, olive-green or olive-brown with perhaps some purple near the umbones, and the internal supporting rib diverges from the dorsoventral axis by about 30 degrees. Shell, up to 17 cm long and rounded at the ends, is thin and cracks easily. In a live animal the valves gape everywhere but at the hinge, and the siphons are fused. The shell interior is white with pinkish tint.
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Look Alikes
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How to Distinguish from Similar Species: The other related species in this area are less than 5 cm, subtidal, and with alternating colored bands on the shell. The jackknife clams are also smaller and much more elongated.
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Comprehensive Description
provided by Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
Biology/Natural History: Spawns late spring and summer. In Washington spawning is simultaneous along several kilometers of beach, triggered by a sudden rise in water temperature to about 13C. Intensity of spawning varies dramatically from year to year. In Alaska they spawn every year, but not simultaneously, in July and August. Larvae are pelagic for about 8 weeks. Live about 12 years in Washington. This species is frequently dug by humans for food, but as with most species on the open coast, is susceptible to paralytic shellfish poisoning due to ingesting too many dinoflagellates such as Gonyaulax during the summer. The animal typically remains just below the surface, with a dimple in the sand above the siphon. When disturbed, for example by human footsteps approaching, it begins digging rapidly. Predators include flatfish such as the starry flounder and the Dungeness crab Cancer magister. May have a commensal nemertean worm, Malacobdella grossa, or the pea crab Pinnixia faba in its mantle cavity. These clams are called razor clams for a reason. If while a clam digger grasps the ventral side of the shell in the rush to catch up with the rapidly-digging clam, he may pay for it with a deeply cut hand. Fortunately, the clams always orient with the hinge toward the ocean so if a digger will always reach into the hole on the oceanward side he will be safe from cuts
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Distribution
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Geographical Range: Bering Sea, Alaska to Pismo Beach, CA
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Pacific razor clam
provided by wikipedia EN
The Pacific razor clam, Siliqua patula, is a species of large marine bivalve mollusc in the family Pharidae.
Range
Pacific razor clams can be found along the Pacific West Coast of North America from the eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska, to Pismo Beach, California. They inhabit sandy beaches in the intertidal zone down to a maximum water depth of about 9 m (30 ft).[3]
Description
This species has an elongated oval narrow shell, which ranges from 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in) in length in the southern portion of its range, with individuals up to 28 cm (11 in) found in Alaska.[3] It is similar to the smaller Atlantic razor clam, Siliqua costata, which is found on the East Coast of the United States.
The name razor clam is also used for the Atlantic jackknife clam, Ensis directus. The Atlantic jackknife clam's genus, Ensis, is different than the Pacific razor clam's genus, Siliqua. However, they are both in the same family, Pharidae.
As food
Pacific razor clams are a highly desirable shellfish species and are collected by both commercial and recreational harvesters.[4] Razor clams, like other shellfish, may accumulate dangerous levels of the marine toxin domoic acid.[5] Harvesters should check current public health recommendations by marine authorities before collecting razor clams.
In the United States, razor clam harvesting is typically authorized by state officials several times a year.[6] Harvesters locate the clam by looking for a "show," which can present as either a hole or depression in the sand.[7] Some clams expose their siphons as the surf is receding making them far easier to spot; this behavior is called "necking".[8]
Razor clams are commonly battered and fried in butter. They can also be used to make clam chowder.
References
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^ Hiebert, T.C. (2015). "Siliqua patula The flat razor clam". In T.C. Hiebert; B.A. Butler & A.L. Shanks (eds.). Oregon Estuarine Invertebrates: Rudys' Illustrated Guide to Common Species (PDF) (3 ed.). University of Oregon Libraries and Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Charleston, OR. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
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^ Gary Rosenberg (2011). "Siliqua patula (Dixon, 1789)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
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^ a b "Fish and Shellfish: Razor Clams". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Archived from the original on August 6, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
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^ "Personal Use Clam Fishing:Razor Clam". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
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^ "Fishing & Shellfishing: personal use razor clams". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Archived from the original on August 6, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
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^ "How to Razor clam". Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
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^ "Digging Razor Clams". Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
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^ "Razor Clam Behavior". Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
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Pacific razor clam: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Pacific razor clam, Siliqua patula, is a species of large marine bivalve mollusc in the family Pharidae.
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