86
Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea
Description: The Asian clam is a
small mussel with a triangular shaped
shell. The largest that I have seen
was 48mm thought they are usually
half that size. It has a glossy
periostracum with numerous coarse
ridges in concentric rings around the
shell. The shell is thick. Pinching the
shell hard between the fingers, you
cannot crush it as you can a native
fingernail clam's shell. This species
has cardinal teeth at the beak position
and two sets of lateral teeth, one on
each side of the cardinal teeth. The
nacre is white with faint purple bands.
Similar species: Very small
individuals are somewhat similar to
native fingernail clams but the
presence of a glossy periostracum and
coarse ridges around the shell
distinguish this. Their shell is also
much thicker than that of a fingernail
clam.
Conservation status: None. This is
an exotic invasive species in
Nebraska.
Hosts: None. This species can
reproduce without a host.
Habitat: The Asian clam doesn't seem
to be too particular as it can live in
freshwater or brackish water. It
generally prefers sandy or gravelly
substrates but can live in silty lakes.
They do better in flowing water
because these will provide a better
food supply.
Distribution: Now found throughout
the U.S. with the possible exception of
North Dakota and Montana.
Collection notes: They were first
collected from a Salt Valley lake in
1991 by Keith Perkins. They have
since expanded their range to include
the entire Platte River and Missouri
River systems.
Comments: The Asian clam does not
have parasitic larvae and can
reproduce without the need for a host
fish. They are also hermaphroditic so
it only takes one to start a new
population.
