AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Mya arenaria [WoRMS] | |
Authority | Linnaeus, 1758 | |
Family | Myidae | |
Order | Myida | |
Class | Bivalvia | |
Phylum | Mollusca | |
Synonym (?) | Mya acuta (Say, 1822) Mya acuta mercenaria (Say, 1822) |
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Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Not entered Comments: Atlantic NW |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
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Sociability / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Tyler-Walters, H., 2003. Mya arenaria. Sand gaper. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine 30 Biological Association of the United Kingdom. |
Reproductive frequency (?) | Iteroparous References (not structured): Tyler-Walters, H., 2003. Mya arenaria. Sand gaper. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine 30 Biological Association of the United Kingdom. |
Reproductive type (?) | Sexual References: Tyler-Walters, H., 2003. Mya arenaria. Sand gaper. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine 30 Biological Association of the United Kingdom. |
Developmental trait (?) | Spawning References: Powers SP, Bishop MA, Grabowski JH, Peterson CH (2006) Distribution of the invasive bivalve Mya arenaria L. on intertidal flats of southcentral Alaska. J. Sea Res. 55(3): 207-216 |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Tyler-Walters H (2003) Mya arenaria. Sand gaper. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine 30 Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Comments: The soft-shell clam is an active suspension feeder, filtering organic particles and microinvertabrates, like plankton, filamentous algae, diatoms, jellyfish and fish larvae, and flagellates. |
Mobility / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Moeller P, Rosenberg R (1983) Recruitment, abundance and production of Mya arenaria and Cardium edule in marine shallow waters, western Sweden. Ophelia. Vol. 22, no. 1, 33-55 pp. Comments: M. arenaria burrows into the sediment and can be found 20-30cm below the surface of the soil |
Salinity tolerance range (?) | Exact range: 3 - 35 References: Paavola M, Olenin S, Leppäkoski E (2005) Are invasive species most successful in habitats of low native species richness across European brackish water seas? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 64(4), 738-750 References: Summerson, R., Darbyshire, R., & Lawrence, E. (2007). Invasive marine species range mapping. Australian Government, Bureau of Rural Sciences. Jarvekiulg A (1979) The bottom fauna of the eastern part of the Baltic Sea. Tallinn, Valgus: 382pp. (in Russian) |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Allogenic ecosystem engineers Autogenic ecosystem engineers Keystone species References: Forster S., Zettler M.L. 2004. The capacity of the filter-feeding bivalve Mya arenaria L. to affect water transport in sandy beds. Marine Biology 144: 1183-1189 Olszewska A. 2000. Mya arenaria L., a new and unusual substratum for Balanus improvisus Darwin. Oceanologia 42(1): 119-121. Comments: M. arenaria has profound influence on the sediment via its suspension feeding lifestyle. The combined activities by M. arenaria of particle and solute transfer from the water to the sediment in coarse permeable sediments are likely to cause considerable variability in pore water solute concentration, as often observed in sandy sediments. Empty shells provide substrate for other species. |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not relevant |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Anthropogenic chemical compounds Natural toxins References: Metcalf, T. G., Mullin, B., Eckerson, D., Moulton, E., & Larkin, E. P. (1979). Bioaccumulation and depuration of enteroviruses by the soft-shelled clam, Mya arenaria. Applied and environmental microbiology, 38(2), 275-282. Lohmann, R., Burgess, R. M., Cantwell, M. G., Ryba, S. A., MacFarlane, J. K., & Gschwend, P. M. (2004). Dependency of polychlorinated biphenyl and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioaccumulation in Mya arenaria on both water column and sediment bed chemical activities. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 23(11), 2551-2562. Kure, L. K., & Depledge, M. H. (1994). Accumulation of organotin in Littorina littorea and Mya arenaria from Danish coastal waters. Environmental Pollution, 84(2), 149-157. Comments: Accumulate enteroviruses, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organotin, etc. |
Known human health impact? | Known References: Oregon Health Authority. (n.d.). Softshell Clam Advisory FAQ. Available at: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthyenvironments/recreation/fishconsumption/documents/softshell-clam-advisory-faq.pdf (Accessed: 17 July 2024). Comments: M. arenaria contained unexpectedly high levels of inorganic arsenic. Most of the inorganic arsenic, however, was concentrated in the skin covering the siphon. The inorganic arsenic found in softshell clams can be greatly reduced by removing the siphon skin before eating, and therefore it is recommended that the siphon skin be removed before consuming. |
Known economic impact? | Known References: Heinig, C. S., Moore, P. J., Newberg, D. W., Moore, L. R. 1995. Economic Analysis of the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria, industry in Casco Bay. Comments: M. arenaria is an important commercial fisheries species, eaten steamed or fried in eastern North America |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Known References: Cohen, A. N., Carlton, J. T. 1995. Nonindigenous aquatic species in a United States estuary: a case study of the biological invasions of the San Francisco Bay and Delta, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Sea Grant College Program (Connecticut Sea Grant), Washington DC, Silver Spring MD.. Pp. Comments: My. arenaria, as a powerful burrower and filterer, has the potential to alter habitats and sediment characteristics through bioturbation and deposition of peudofeces and also through suspension feeding, increasing water clarity, and light penetration. Mya arenaria in several locations are believed to have reduced or partially replaced native bivalves, including Macoma nasuta. |
Included in the Target Species list? | No References: HELCOM, 2009. Alien Species and Ballast Water [PDF]. Available at: (https://archive.iwlearn.net/helcom.fi/stc/files/shipping/Table_2_Alienspecies_%20lists_2009.pdf) |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Ballast waters References: Gollasch S, Macdonald E, Belson S, Botnen H, Christensen JT, Hamer JP, Houvenaghel G, Jelmert A, Lucas I, Masson D, McCollin T, Olenin S, Persson A, Wallentinus I, Wetsteyn LPMJ, Wittling T (2002) Life in Ballast Tanks In: Invasive aquatic species of Europe - distribution, impact and management. Leppäkoski, E, Gollasch S, Olenin S(eds). Kluwer Academic Publishers: 217-231 |
Molecular information | Available http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi http://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?taxid=30912 |
Last update by | Sergej Olenin, 2016-08-11 |