Table of Contents
Overview
Comprehensive Description
Biology/Natural History: Spawns late spring and summer. In Washington spawning is simultaneous (the same day) along several kilometers of beach, triggered by a sudden rise in water temperature to about 13C (usually in late May or June). 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 (PSP, toxic to humans) 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 (but will still have to dig fast!)
© Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
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Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
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Harbo, Rick M., 1997. ;Shells and Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest: ; A Field Guide. ;Harbour Publishing, Madeira, BC. Canada. ; ISBN 1-55017-146-1. ;Paperback, 271 pp. ; The front of this book has color photos and briefdescriptions of mollusks and brachiopods found in the northwest. ;The latter part of the book has somewhat more detailed descriptions keyedto the color photos. ; Organized taxonomically.
http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Annotated_Bibliography.html#Harbo+1997
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Morris, Percy A., 1966. ;Pacific Coast Shells. ; Peterson Field Guide. ; 297 pp, paperback. ;Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. ; ISBN 0-395-08029-0. ; Brief descriptionsand mostly black-and-white photos of hundreds of shells found on the NorthAmerican Pacific coast.
http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Annotated_Bibliography.html#Morris+1966
© Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
Source:
Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
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Distribution
National Distribution
Canada
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
© NatureServe
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NatureServe
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© Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
Source:
Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
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Physical Description
Look Alikes
© Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
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Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
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Ecology
Habitat
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 26 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0.1 - 92
Temperature range (°C): 8.462 - 10.198
Nitrate (umol/L): 6.109 - 16.592
Salinity (PPS): 31.235 - 33.143
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.751 - 6.794
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.989 - 1.462
Silicate (umol/l): 13.364 - 29.249
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0.1 - 92
Temperature range (°C): 8.462 - 10.198
Nitrate (umol/L): 6.109 - 16.592
Salinity (PPS): 31.235 - 33.143
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.751 - 6.794
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.989 - 1.462
Silicate (umol/l): 13.364 - 29.249
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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Habitat: Low intertidal and subtidal on flat, sandy exposed beaches. Burrows deeply and rapidly into the sand.
© Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
Source:
Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Statistics of barcoding coverage: Siliqua patula
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1
© Barcode of Life Data Systems
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Conservation
Conservation Status
NatureServe Conservation Status
Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure
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NatureServe
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National NatureServe Conservation Status
Canada
Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure
© NatureServe
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NatureServe
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Wikipedia
Pacific razor clam
The Pacific razor clam, Siliqua patula, is a species of large edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Veneridae.
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Range [edit]
Pacific razor clams can be found along the Pacific West Coast from the eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska, to Pismo Beach, California. They inhabit sandy beaches in the intertidal zone down to a maximum depth of about 30 feet (9.1 m).[1]
Description [edit]
This species has an elongated oblong narrow shell, which ranges from 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15 cm) in length in the southern portion of its range, with individuals up to 11 inches (28 cm) found in Alaska.[1] It is similar to the smaller Atlantic razor clam, Siliqua costata, which is found on the East Coast of the United States. Another eastern species in the same family is sometimes also called a razor clam: Ensis directus, but this is in a different genus, is not very similar, and can also be known as the Atlantic jackknife clam.
As food [edit]
Pacific razor clams are a highly desirable and edible, collected both commercially and by recreational harvesters.[2] Razor clams, like other shellfish, may sometimes accumulate dangerous levels of domoic acid, a marine toxin.[3] Harvesters should be sure to check current public health recommendations before collecting razor clams. Razor clams are commonly battered and fried in butter, or made into a clam chowder.
Razor Clam harvesting is typically authorized by state officials several times a year.[4] Harvesters locate the clam by looking for a "show," which can present as either a hole or depression in the sand.[5] Some razors expose their necks while the surf has receded, making them far easier to spot. Local harvesters colloquially refer to these clams as Pollom clams.
References [edit]
- ^ a b Razor Clams, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
- ^ Razor Clam, Alaska Department of Fish & Game
- ^ Domoic Acid, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
- ^ Oregon Fish and Wildlife
- ^ [1]
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Wikipedia
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