Clam, common name for any bivalve (hinged shell) mollusc, referring especially to those of economic significance burrowing in beaches or the seafloor. In Canada numerous species are fished for human consumption. On the West Coast butter and littleneck clams (Saxidomus giganteus, Protothaca staminea respectively) are most important, but the accidentally introduced Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum) is also taken. Recently, an important fishery for the geoduck (Panope abrupta, formerly P. generosa) has developed. It is the largest clam of the North Pacific, with a body weight up to 5 kg and a lifespan of up to 150 years. On the East Coast, the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria) and the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) are commercially important.
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- MLA 8TH EDITION
- Bernard, Frank R.. "Clam". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 30 July 2014, Historica Canada. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/clam. Accessed 05 November 2024.
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- APA 6TH EDITION
- Bernard, F. (2014). Clam. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/clam
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- CHICAGO 17TH EDITION
- Bernard, Frank R.. "Clam." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 06, 2006; Last Edited July 30, 2014.
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- TURABIAN 8TH EDITION
- The Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. "Clam," by Frank R. Bernard, Accessed November 05, 2024, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/clam
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Clam
Article by Frank R. Bernard
Published Online February 6, 2006
Last Edited July 30, 2014