Clam 55528 225902158 2008-07-15T22:57:19Z 213.16.241.26 {{otheruses}} [[Image:Clams.JPG|thumb|300px|Clams]] A '''clam''' is a [[bivalve]] [[mollusk]]. The word "clam" has no real [[Taxonomy|taxonomic]] significance in [[biology]]. However in the United States the word can sometimes be used to mean any bivalve mollusk. It more properly refers to a bivalve other than an [[oyster]], [[mussel]], or [[scallop]], and that has a more-and-less oval shape, or a freshwater mussel.<ref>{{cite web | title=Merriam-Webster Dictionary | url=http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary}} </ref> The word clam is also very often used to mean any one of many edible bivalve species which live buried in mud or sand and communicates to the water by means of a siphon, hence, "digging for clams" or [[clam digging]]. Not all edible clams are round or oval in shape: the [[Pacific Razor Clam|razor clam]] has an elongated shell whose shape suggests a [[straight razor]]. In October 2007 an ''[[Arctica islandica]]'' clam caught off the coast of [[Iceland]] was discovered to be at least 405 years old,and was declared the world's oldest living animal by researchers from [[Bangor University]], see [[Ming (clam)]]. {{wiktionarypar|clam}} ==Anatomy== [[Image:2_Tridacna_gigas.jpg|thumb|right|[[Maxima clam]], ''[[Tridacna maxima]]''.]] [[Image:LittleNeck clams USDA96c1862.jpg|thumb|left|Littleneck clams; the pictured molluscs are of the species ''[[Mercenaria mercenaria]]''.]] A clam's shell consists of two valves which are connected by a hinge joint and a ligament that can be external or internal. Two adductor muscles close the shells. The clam has no head, and usually has no [[eyes]], ([[scallop]]s are a notable exception), but a clam does have [[kidneys]], a [[heart]], a [[mouth]], and an [[anus]]. Clams have bilateral symmetry. Clams, like most mollusks, also have [[Open_circulatory_system#Open_circulatory_system|open circulatory systems]], which means that their organs are surrounded by watery blood that contains nutrients and oxygen. Clams eat [[plankton]] by [[filter feeding]], and they themselves are eaten by small [[shark]]s and [[squid]]. In culinary use, the term "clam" most often refers to the [[hard clam]] ''[[Mercenaria mercenaria]]'' but it may refer to several other species such as the [[soft-shell clam]], ''[[Mya arenaria]]''. Clams can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, baked or [[Fried clam|fried]]; the method of preparation depends partly on size and species. [[Clam chowder]] is a popular soup in the [[United States|U.S.]] and [[Canada]]. In Italy, clams are often an ingredient of mixed seafood dishes, or are eaten together with [[pasta]]. The [[Maxima clam]] ''[[Tridacna maxima]]'', a species of [[giant clam]], is popular with saltwater [[aquarium]] hobbyists. The [[Moche]] people of ancient [[Peru]] worshiped the sea and its animals. They often depicted clams in their art.<ref>Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. ''The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the [[Larco_Museum|Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera]].'' New York: [[Thames and Hudson]], 1997.</ref> ==Examples of clams== [[Image:Shelllarcomuseum.jpg|thumb|right|Moche clam. 200 A.D. [[Larco_Museum|Larco Museum Collection]] Lima, Peru.]] * [[Ark clam]]s, family [[Arcidae]] * [[Nut clam]]s or [[pointed nut clam]]s, family [[Nuculidae]] * [[Duck clam]]s or [[trough shell]]s, family [[Mactridae]] * [[Marsh clam]]s, family [[Corbiculidae]] * [[File clam]]s, family [[Limidae]] * [[Hard clam]] or Northern [[Quahog]]: ''[[Mercenaria mercenaria]]'' * [[soft-shell Clam|Soft clam]]: ''[[Mya arenaria]]'' * [[Surf clam]]: ''[[Spisula solidissima]]'' * [[Ocean quahog]]: ''[[Arctica islandica]]'' * [[Pacific razor clam]]: ''[[Siliqua patula]]'' * [[Giant clam]]: ''[[Tridacna gigas]]'' * [[Asian clam|Asian or Asiatic clam]]: genus ''[[Corbicula]]'' * [[Peppery furrow shell]]: ''[[Scrobicularia plana]]'' * [[Pismo Beach, California|Pismo]] clam: ''[[Tivela stultorum]]'' (8 inch shell on display in the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce) * [[Geoduck]] clam: ''[[Panopea abrupta]]'' or ''[[Panope generosa]]'' (largest burrowing clam in the world) * [[Atlantic jackknife clam]]: ''[[Ensis directus]]'' ==See also== {{commonscat|Bivalvia}} * [[New England clam bake | Clam bake]] * [[New England clam boil | Clam boil]] * [[Fried clams]] *[[Clam Chowder]] ==References== <references/> ==External Links== *[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070221101429.htm Deep In The Ocean A Clam That Acts Like A Plant] [[Science Daily]] [[March 2]] [[2007]] [[Category:Bivalves]] [[Category:Edible mollusks]] [[Category:Commercial molluscs]] [[Category:Seafood]] [[ar:محار ملزمي]] [[zh-min-nan:Lâ-á]] [[da:Musling]] [[de:Muscheln]] [[el:Αχιβάδα]] [[es:Almeja]] [[fr:Palourde]] [[gl:Ameixa, molusco]] [[it:Vongola]] [[pt:amêijoa]] [[zh:蛤蜊]] [[zh-yue:蜆]]