Clams
Names of organism
The Common Name
Clam
The Scientific Name
Bivalvia
Description of Adaptations
Geographic Location clams are typically found
Type of Organism
Clams or Bivalves are generally considered invertebrates but within this category, they are specially identified as mollusks. Clams are also known as shellfish as they are immersion substrates.
Intertidal zone clams are found in
Although clams are typically found in sandy and muddy intertidal zones as they provide a substantial amount of food and nutrients, clams can also be found in rocky intertidal zones due to their black shells providing a sense of camouflage against the black rocks. Clams, however, are more typically found in intertidal zones that are sandy or muddy because of their ability to burrow themselves in the sand or mud, hiding from predators. As it is known clams have adapted to desiccation, salinity changes, waves, tides, predators, and competition due to their shell which surrounds their body and organs. Clams shells can open and close depending on their current situation, so if it is low tide and the water is out clams can squeeze their shell shut to avoid desiccation, this ability is also used for the other situations listed above.
Clams are typically found along the shores of eastern North America to the Canadian Maritime Provinces, along New England, and Mid-Atlantic shores along with many other places. In these shores clams are found in low to mid intertidal zones where this is enough sand or mud to burrow themselves in. Being in the low to mid intertidal zones protects the clams from too much sunlight exposure preventing desiccation along with being pushed too close to shore.
Desiccation
Salinity Changes
Waves and Tides
Competition
Predation
Images
Important Facts
Along with clams ability of being excellent feeders due to their filtering efficiency they are also extremely important to the ecology of the environment, as they filter out nutrients in water which cleans the water. By cleaning the water and filtering out certain nutrients it will allow for new growth and development along with a fresh environment.
Clams are very diverse organisms and there are so many different species of clams which provides biodiversity within the community which is extremely important for environments success.
Clams avoid predators in two ways, the first being their ability to burrow themselves in sand and mud. This ability allows clams to hide from predators when they are sleeping or resting or need to escape a dangerous situation. The other way clams avoid predators is by their protective shells, although some clams are soft-shelled most are hard which proves a second form of protection for being eaten by a sea gull or another predator.
Clams also use their shells and ability to squeeze their shells closed as a form of protection from desiccation. The ability to squeeze themselves close allows for clams to be in the sun while tides are changing if they find themselves out of water. By squeezing their shells shut clams keep their water inside of them.
Clams also use their ability to squeeze themselves shut to deal with salinity changes. By squeezing themselves shut prevents new water that might be too salty at the moment from entering into the body of the clam. This also allows them to hold in salty water in salinity levels dramatically drop.
Clams uses their ability of burrowing themselves as a form of protection against waves and tides. By burrowing themselves in sand or mud it prevents clams from moving closer to the shore line keeping the clams in the water and in the relatively same spot.
Clams deal with competition due to their filtering feeding efficiency. Clams are extremely well at filtering out plankton and other plants in the water quickly allowing them to receive the nutrients they need to survive. They also utilize space as they are commonly found in large groups or clusters.
Image of a clam with its mouth open
The image of clam with its mouth extremely open.
Image of a clam digging in the sand