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Venerupis philippinarum (A. Adams & Reeve, 1850)
Dosinia Clam; Japanese Little-neck Clam; Manila Clam
Family: Veneridae
Introduction to the Bivalves of BC

Photograph

© Brian Klinkenberg     (Photo ID #8762)

Map

E-Fauna BC Static Map

Distribution of Venerupis philippinarum in British Columbia in British Columbia

Introduction


The Manilla Clam is an introduced species in British Columbia that originates in Korea and China. It was first discovered in Ladysmith Harbour in 1936 where it was likely introduced with seed oysters from Japan and quickly became abundant (Carl and Guiget 1958). It spread from there and by 1944 was reported from several locations, including Saanich Inlet, Departure Bay, False Narrows and Lasqueti Island--by 1958 it was reported from throughout Georgia Strait and Barkley Sound (Carl and Guiget 1958).

Species Information

Manilla clam is an edible species of saltwater venus clam that is harvested in British Columbia. It has a distinctive thick, elongate, oval shell that is variably coloured (cream or gray, sometimes with green or brown tones) with weak concentric ridges that reaches maximum lengths of 6 cm. (Cohen 2005). Cohen says: "It often has patterns of dark brown or black, overlapping, triangular markings that start from points nearer the umbo and widen toward the shell's lower edge. Smaller specimens (up to about 3 cm) found in muddy sand on the east shore of San Francisco Bay come in a remarkable variety of hues, including white, tan, yellow, blue and green, often with darker markings that include the patterns described above, tall black triangles, and intricate patterns of zigzag line." The inner ventral margin of the shell is smooth and the ligament is prominent (Wikipedia 2011). The inside of the shell is white, sometime with purple or yellow colouration.

Biology


Because this species lives in shallow substrates, it is vulnerable to seasonal die-offs including winter kills (caused by temperature extremes) (Gillespie et al. 2001, Soundant et al. 2004). It can tolerate salinity levels as low as 10-15 ppt, but grows best at 24-31 ppt and temperatures of 13-21° C (Cohen 2005).

Habitat


This species is found in the upper half of the intertidal zone in mud, sand and gravel (Gillespie et al. 2001).

Distribution

Global Distribution

The native range of this species is Korea and China, and northern Japan. Introduced to the eastern Pacific with oyster seed in 1939 (Gillespie et al. 2011).
Distribution in British Columbia

In British Columbia, Manilla clams spread from the original point of introduction throughout Georgia Strait and, following introduction in Barkley Sound, spread further up the coast of Vancouver Island (Gillespie et al. 2001). They were also intentionally introduced in the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) and in the north coast (Gillespie et al. 2001).

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
UnlistedUnlistedUnlistedUnlisted



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Synonyms and Alternate Names

Paphia bifurcata Quayle, 1938
Tapes biradiata Deshayes, 1853
Tapes japonica Deshayes, 1853
Tapes philippinarum (A. Adams and Reeve, 1850)
Tapes violascens Deshayes, 1853
Venerupis japonica (Deshayes, 1853)
Venerupis japonica (Deshayes, 1853)
Venerupis semidecussata (Reeve, 1864)
Venus philippinarum Adams & Reeve, 1850
Venus tessellata Adams & Reeve, 1850

Additional Range and Status Information Links

Ocean Biogeographic Information System Distribution Map

Species References

Cohen, Andrew N. 2005 Guide to the Exotic Species of San Francisco Bay. San Francisco Estuary Institute, Oakland, CA. Available online.

Gillespie, Graham E. T. C. Norgard and F. E. Scurrah. 2001. Status of Manila Clam (Venerupis philippinarium) stocks in Area 7, British Columbia, with a proposal for active management of a data-limited fishery. Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Available online.

Soudant P., C. Paillarda, G. Choqueta, C. Lamberta, H.I. Reidb, A. Marhica, L. Donaghy, and T.H. Birkbeck. 2004. Impact of season and rearing site on the physiological and immunological parameters of the Manila clam Venerupis (=Tapes, =Ruditapes) philippinarum. Aquaculture 229 (2004) 401-418.

Wikipedia. 2011. Manilla Clam. Available online.

General References

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