Mercenaria mercenaria
Mercenaria mercenaria
Mercenaria mercenaria (pronunciation: mer-sen-AR-ee-uh mer-sen-AR-ee-uh), commonly known as the Hard Clam, Northern Quahog, or Cherrystone Clam, is a species of bivalve mollusk native to the eastern shores of North America, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of many clam species harvested as a food source.
Etymology
The name Mercenaria mercenaria comes from the Latin word "mercenarius" meaning "hired, paid" and is a reference to the use of the species' shells by Native Americans as a form of currency.
Description
The Mercenaria mercenaria is a large, hard-shelled clam that can reach up to 130 mm in length. The shell is thick and rounded, with a slightly heart-shaped outline. The color is usually white or gray, often with concentric bands of darker color. The interior of the shell is white, often with a purple patch near the hinge.
Habitat and Distribution
Mercenaria mercenaria is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow waters, usually not deeper than 20 meters.
Related Terms
- Bivalve: A class of marine and freshwater mollusks that have a shell divided into two hinged parts.
- Mollusk: A large phylum of invertebrate animals, many of which have a calcareous shell.
- Hard Clam: Another common name for Mercenaria mercenaria.
- Northern Quahog: Another common name for Mercenaria mercenaria.
- Cherrystone Clam: Another common name for Mercenaria mercenaria.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mercenaria mercenaria
- Wikipedia's article - Mercenaria mercenaria
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