Mercenaria campechiensis
Species of bivalve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mercenaria campechiensis, also known as the southern hardshell clam,[1] southern hard clam,[2] and southern quahog,[3][4] is a species of bivalve belonging to the family Veneridae.[1][5][6] The species is found in western North Atlantic north to New Jersey (USA), including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico[5][6] in waters shallower than 20 meters.[1]
| Mercenaria campechiensis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Venerida |
| Family: | Veneridae |
| Genus: | Mercenaria |
| Species: | M. campechiensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Mercenaria campechiensis (Gmelin, 1791) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Venus campechiensis Gmelin, 1791 | |
Mercenaria campechiensis is harvested commercially for human consumption.[1][4] It can hybridize with Mercenaria mercenaria where their local distributions overlap. However, it typically occurs in nearshore open-ocean waters, whereas Mercenaria mercenaria is found in embayments and estuaries.[2][4]
Description
Mercenaria campechiensis can grow to a total length of 15–18 cm (5.9–7.1 in).[1][3] It can reach at least 28 years in age.[3] The shell is roundish. The presence of anterior concentric ridges can be used to differentiate Mercenaria campechiensis from Mercenaria mercenaria (ridges absent).[4]
Right and left valve of the same specimen:
Right valve
Left valve
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