Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic). Surf Clam
The surf clam (Spisula solidissima) is a dominant clam species in the mid-Atlantic region, and contributed 71.8% of all clam meats consumed in the United States between 1970 and 1974; total landings in 1981 were 20.9 thousand metric tons (46.1 million lb). Surf clams live in the coastal zone from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; they are most common in the breaker zone, but occur to depths of 70 m (230 ft). They reach sexual maturity in 2 years and spawn in the mid-Atlantic region from mid-July through mid-October, often with two spawning peaks per year. Larval stages are planktonic; upon settlement, they metamorphose into juvenile clams. Adults live buried in sandy or gravel substrates, with siphons extended above the bottom for feeding and respiration. Surf clams may live up to 25 years and reach a size of 225 mm (8.9 inches). Larvae tolerate water temperatures of 14/sup 0/ to 30/sup 0/F (57/sup 0/) to 86/sup 0/F), and salinities as low as 16 ppt. Adults tolerate 0/sup 0/ to 28/sup 0/C (32/sup 0/ to 82/sup 0/F) and 12.5 ppt salinity or higher. Depletion of dissolved oxygen in ocean bottom waters was the major cause for large-scale surf clam mortalities off New York and New Jersey over the last two decades. Sewage, sludge, and heavy metals often cause accumulation of toxic materials in surf clam meats and force closure of beds to fishing to prevent human consumption of these toxic materials. 98 references, 2 figures, 3 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA). Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
- OSTI ID:
- 5273554
- Report Number(s):
- FWS/OBS-82/11.13; ON: DE84900746
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CLAMS
ECOLOGY
ATLANTIC OCEAN
COASTAL WATERS
FEDERAL REGION I
FEDERAL REGION II
FEDERAL REGION III
FISHING INDUSTRY
HABITAT
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
TAXONOMY
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGY
DISTRIBUTION
INDUSTRY
INVERTEBRATES
MOLLUSCS
NORTH AMERICA
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
520100* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)