The word "clam" can be applied to freshwater mussels The common name mussel is used for members of several families of clams or bivalvia mollusca, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval, and other freshwater bivalves, as well as marine bivalves.[1]
In the United States ^ b. English is the de facto language of American government and the sole language spoken at home by 80% of Americans age five and older. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, "clam" can be used in several different ways: one, as a general term covering all bivalve Bivalvia is a class of marine and freshwater mollusks known for some time as Pelecypoda, but now commonly referred to simply as bivalves. As with Gastropoda and Cephalopoda, the term Pelecypoda is in reference to the animal itself while Bivalvia simply describes the shell. Other names for the class include Acephala, Bivalva, and Lamellibranchia molluscs The Mollusca, common name molluscs or mollusks,[note 1] is a large phylum of invertebrate animals. There are around 85,000 recognized extant species of molluscs. This is the largest marine phylum, comprising about 23% of all the named marine organisms. Numerous molluscs also live in freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Molluscs are highly diverse,. The word can also be used in a more limited sense, to mean bivalves which burrow in sediment Sediment is naturally-occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of fluids such as wind, water, or ice, and/or by the force of gravity acting on the particle itself, as opposed to ones which attach themselves to the substrate (for example oysters The word oyster is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of bivalve molluscs which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified and mussels The common name mussel is used for members of several families of clams or bivalvia mollusca, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval), or ones which can swim and are migratory, like scallops A scallop is a marine bivalve mollusc of the family Pectinidae. Scallops are a cosmopolitan family, found in all of the world's oceans. Many scallops are highly prized as a food source. The brightly colored, fan-shaped shells of some scallops with their radiating fluted pattern are valued by shell collectors. In addition "clam" can be used in an even more limited sense, to mean one or more species In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are often used, such as similarity of DNA, morphology or of commonly consumed marine Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology. As a noun it can be a term for a certain kind of navy, or those enlisted in such a navy bivalves, as in the phrase clam chowder Clam chowder is any of several chowders containing clams and broth. Along with the clams, diced potato is common, as are onions, which are occasionally sauteed in the drippings from salt pork or bacon. Celery is frequently used. Other vegetables are uncommon, but small carrot strips might occasionally be added, primarily for color. A garnish of, meaning a thick shellfish Shellfish is a culinary and fisheries term for exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates used as food, including various species of molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. Although most kinds of shellfish are harvested from saltwater environments, some kinds are found only in freshwater. In addition a few species of land crabs are eaten, for soup usually made using the hard clam The hard clam , also known as a quahog (or quahaug), round clam, or hard-shell (or hard-shelled) clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk which is native to the eastern shores of North America, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of many unrelated edible bivalves which in the United States are frequently referred to. Many edible bivalves have a roughly oval shape; however, the edible razor clam The Pacific razor clam, Siliqua patula, is a species of large edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Cultellidae has an elongated, parallel-sided shell, whose shape suggests that of an old-fashioned straight razor A straight razor is a razor with a blade that can fold into its handle. They are also called open razors and cut-throat razors.
In the United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland[note 7] is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many small islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK with a land, "clam" is one of the common names of various species of marine bivalve mollusc,[2] but it is not used as a general term to cover edible clams that burrow, and it is not used as a general term for all bivalves.
Numerous edible marine bivalve species live buried in sand or mud, and respire by means of siphons which reach to the surface. In the USA, these clams are collected by "digging for clams" or clam digging Clam digging is a common means of harvesting clams from below the surface of the tidal mud flats where they live. It is done both recreationally and commercially (as a source of income). Commercial digging is colloquially referred to as clamming, and is done by a clammer.
In October 2007 an Arctica islandica Arctica islandica, commonly known as the ocean quahog, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk native to the North Atlantic ocean, which is harvested commercially. This species is also known by a number of different common names, including Icelandic cyprine, mahogany clam, mahogany quahog, black quahog, and black clam clam, caught off the coast of Iceland b. ^ Iceland, the Faeroes and Greenland were formally Norwegian possessions until 1814 despite 400 years of Danish monarchy beforehand, was discovered to be at least 405 years old, and was declared the world's oldest living animal by researchers from Bangor University Bangor University is a university based in the city of Bangor in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales, see Ming (clam) Ming is the nickname given to a specimen of an ocean quahog clam, Arctica islandica, family Veneridae, and is the oldest living animal ever discovered.
In regard to the concept of edible clams, most species of bivalves are at least potentially edible. However some are too small to be useful, and not all species are considered palatable Palatability is the hedonic reward provided by foods or fluids that are agreeable to the "palate" in regard to the homeostatic satisfaction of nutritional, water, or energy needs. The palatability of a food or fluid, unlike its flavor or taste, varies with the state of an individual: it is lower after consumption and higher when deprived.
The word "clam" has given rise to the metaphor "clamming up", meaning refusing to speak, at least on a certain topic. A "clam shell" is the name given to a plastic container which is hinged, and which consists of two equal halves that lock together.
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Anatomy
Littleneck clams, small hard clams The hard clam , also known as a quahog (or quahaug), round clam, or hard-shell (or hard-shelled) clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk which is native to the eastern shores of North America, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of many unrelated edible bivalves which in the United States are frequently referred to, species Mercenaria mercenaria The hard clam , also known as a quahog (or quahaug), round clam, or hard-shell (or hard-shelled) clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk which is native to the eastern shores of North America, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of many unrelated edible bivalves which in the United States are frequently referred toA clam's shell consists of two (usually equal) halves, which are connected by a hinge joint and a ligament which can be external or internal, much like a Venus Flytrap.
In clams, two adductor muscles contract to close the shells. The clam has no head, and usually has no eyes Eyes are organs that detect light, and convert it to electro-chemical impulses in neurons. The simplest photoreceptors in conscious vision connect light to movement. In higher organisms complex neural pathways exist that connect the eye, via the optic nerve to the visual cortex and other areas of the brain. Complex optical systems with resolving, (scallops A scallop is a marine bivalve mollusc of the family Pectinidae. Scallops are a cosmopolitan family, found in all of the world's oceans. Many scallops are highly prized as a food source. The brightly colored, fan-shaped shells of some scallops with their radiating fluted pattern are valued by shell collectors are a notable exception), but a clam does have kidneys The kidneys are paired organs with several functions. They are seen in many types of animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are an essential part of the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid-base balance, and regulation of blood pressure. They serve the, a heart The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions. The term cardiac (as in cardiology) means "related to the heart" and comes from the Greek καρδιά, kardia, for "heart", a mouth The mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and saliva. The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium lining the inside of the mouth, and an anus. For more information see bivalve Bivalvia is a class of marine and freshwater mollusks known for some time as Pelecypoda, but now commonly referred to simply as bivalves. As with Gastropoda and Cephalopoda, the term Pelecypoda is in reference to the animal itself while Bivalvia simply describes the shell. Other names for the class include Acephala, Bivalva, and Lamellibranchia and pseudofeces Pseudofeces or pseudofaeces are a way that filter-feeding bivalve mollusks get rid of suspended particles which have been rejected as unsuitable for food. The rejected particles are wrapped in mucus, and are expelled without having passed through the digestive tract. Thus although they may closely resemble the mollusk's real feces they are not.
Clams, like most molluscs, also have open circulatory systems The circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, nitrogen waste products, etc. to and from cells in the body to help fight diseases and help stabilize body temperature and pH to maintain homeostasis. This system may be seen strictly as a blood distribution network, but some consider the circulatory, which means that their organs are surrounded by watery blood that contains nutrients and oxygen.
Clams feed on plankton Plankton are any drifting organisms that inhabit the pelagic zone of oceans, seas, or bodies of fresh water. Plankton are defined by their ecological niche rather than phylogenetic or taxonomic classification. They provide a crucial source of food to larger, more familiar aquatic organisms such as fish and cetacea by filter feeding Filter feeders are animals that feed by straining suspended matter and food particles from water, typically by passing the water over a specialized filtering structure. Some animals that use this method of feeding are clams, krill, sponges, some fish and sharks, and baleen whales. Some birds, such as flamingos, are also filter feeders. Filter.
Human uses
As food items
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In North America
In culinary use, within the eastern coast of the USA ^ b. English is the de facto language of American government and the sole language spoken at home by 80% of Americans age five and older. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, the term "clam" most often refers to the hard clam The hard clam , also known as a quahog (or quahaug), round clam, or hard-shell (or hard-shelled) clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk which is native to the eastern shores of North America, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of many unrelated edible bivalves which in the United States are frequently referred to Mercenaria mercenaria The hard clam , also known as a quahog (or quahaug), round clam, or hard-shell (or hard-shelled) clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk which is native to the eastern shores of North America, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of many unrelated edible bivalves which in the United States are frequently referred to. It may also refer to several other common edible species, such as the soft-shell clam Soft-shell clams, scientific name Mya arenaria, popularly called "steamers", "softshells", "longnecks", "piss clams" or "Ipswich clams", are a species of edible saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Myidae, Mya arenaria, and the ocean quahog, Arctica islandica Arctica islandica, commonly known as the ocean quahog, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk native to the North Atlantic ocean, which is harvested commercially. This species is also known by a number of different common names, including Icelandic cyprine, mahogany clam, mahogany quahog, black quahog, and black clam. Another species which is commercially exploited on the Atlantic Coast of the US is the surf clam Spisula solidissima The Atlantic surf clam, also referred to as the "bar clam," "hen clam," "skimmer," or simlpy as the "sea clam," is a western Atlantic surf clam, a very large , edible, saltwater clam or marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mactridae. It is a much larger relative of the eastern Atlantic surf clam.
Clams can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, baked or fried Fried clams are an iconic food, "they are to New England what barbecue is to the South". They tend to be served at seaside clam shacks . For a lighter meal, a clam roll is made by piling clams into a hot dog bun. Tartar sauce and a lemon slice are the usual condiments; the method of preparation depends partly on the size and species of the clam. They can also be made into clam chowder Clam chowder is any of several chowders containing clams and broth. Along with the clams, diced potato is common, as are onions, which are occasionally sauteed in the drippings from salt pork or bacon. Celery is frequently used. Other vegetables are uncommon, but small carrot strips might occasionally be added, primarily for color. A garnish of (a popular soup in the U.S. ^ b. English is the de facto language of American government and the sole language spoken at home by 80% of Americans age five and older. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language and Canada The land occupied by Canada was inhabited for millennia by various groups of Aboriginal peoples. Beginning in the late 15th century, British and French expeditions explored, and later settled, along the Atlantic coast. France ceded nearly all of its colonies in North America in 1763 after the Seven Years' War. In 1867, with the union of three) or they can be cooked using hot rocks and seaweed in a New England clam bake The New England Clam Bake is a traditional method of cooking foods, especially seafood such as lobster, mussels, crabs, steamers, and quahogs. The seafood is often supplemented by sausages, potatoes, onions, carrots, corn on the cob, etc. Clam bakes are usually held on festive occasions along the coast of New England.
In Italy
In Italy, clams are often an ingredient of mixed seafood dishes, or are eaten together with pasta Pasta is a generic term for foods made from an unleavened dough of wheat or buckwheat, flour and water, sometimes with other ingredients such as eggs and vegetable extracts. Pastas include noodles in various lengths, widths and shapes, and varieties that are filled with other ingredients like ravioli and tortellini. The word pasta is also used to. The more commonly used varieties of clams in Italian cooking are the Vongola The Veneridae or venerids, also known as venus clams, are a very large family of minute to large, saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs. There are over 500 living species of venerid bivalves, most of which are edible, and many of which are exploited as a food source (Venerupis decussata), the Cozza The common name mussel is used for members of several families of clams or bivalvia mollusca, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and the Tellina Tellina is a widely distributed genus of marine bivalve molluscs, in the family Tellinidae (Donax trunculus Donax is a genus of small, edible saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks. The genus is sometimes known as bean clams; however, Donax species have various common names in different parts of the world). A variety of mussel called Dattero di mare (Lithophaga lithophaga) was also once widely popular as seafood. However, since overfishing drove it to the verge of extinction (it takes 15 to 35 years to reach adult size and could only be harvested by smashing the calcarean rocks that form its habitat), it has been declared an endangered species by the Italian government since 1998, and its harvest and sale are forbidden.
In India
In the south western coast of India, also known as the Konkan region, Clams are used to cook curries and side dishes, like Tisaryachi Ekshipi which is clams with one shell on.
In aquaria
Maxima clam, Tridacna maxima.The Maxima clam Tridacna maxima, a species of giant clam, is a popular species with saltwater aquarium hobbyists.
In a religious context
Moche clam. 200 A.D. Larco Museum Collection Lima, Peru.The Moche people of ancient Peru worshiped the sea and its animals. They often depicted clams in their art.[3]
In Jewish tradition all Mollusca are considered non kosher and as such are strictly avoided by observant Jews.
As currency
Some species of clams, particularly Mercenaria mercenaria, were in the past used by the Algonquin of Eastern North America to manufacture wampum, a type of shell money.[citation needed]
Some examples of clams
The world's largest clam (187 cms), a Sphenoceramus steenstrupi fossil from Greenland in the Geological Museum in CopenhagenEdible:
- Grooved carpet shell: Ruditapes decussatus
- Hard clam or Northern Quahog: Mercenaria mercenaria
- Manila clam: Venerupis philippinarum[4]
- Soft clam: Mya arenaria
- Atlantic surf clam: Spisula solidissima
- Ocean quahog: Arctica islandica
- Pacific razor clam: Siliqua patula
- Pismo clam: Tivela stultorum (8 inch shell on display at the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce)
- Geoduck clam: Panopea abrupta or Panope generosa (largest burrowing clam in the world)
- Atlantic jackknife clam: Ensis directus
Not usually considered edible:
- Ark clams, family Arcidae
- Nut clams or pointed nut clams, family Nuculidae
- Duck clams or trough shells, family Mactridae
- Marsh clams, family Corbiculidae
- File clams, family Limidae
- Giant clam: Tridacna gigas
- Asian or Asiatic clam: genus Corbicula
- Peppery furrow shell: Scrobicularia plana
See also
References
- ^ "Merriam-Webster Dictionary". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clam%5B2%5D.
- ^ Compact Oxford English Dictionary
- ^ Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.
- ^ "Invertebrates - Manila Clam". http://www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/publications/speciesbook/invertebrates/manila.html.
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Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:00:46 GMT+00:00
in Pepper Broth Centre Daily Times After preparing the clams , serve the remainder of the bottle of sauvignon blanc. The Groth 2009 sauvignon blanc, Napa Valley ($19), is a good match with the ...
jenn s.
Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:14:36 GM
Place . clam. shells on a baking sheet. Add 1 2 teaspoons . clam. mixture into each . clam. shell. (You can prepare these the morning of the party and then cover and refrigerate until serving time.) ***. Mad Men party ideas. ham balls ...
Q. At my cabin we went on a beach of one of the smaller islands and went looking for clams. I found two clams. I am wondering how long (if you put sand in your clam) it takes to form a pearl.
Asked by LC - Mon Jun 29 09:53:51 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. Atleast six months.
Answered by Manas - Mon Jun 29 10:04:05 2009
