Macoma nasuta

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Macoma nasuta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Cardiida
Family: Tellinidae
Genus: Macoma
Species:
M. nasuta
Binomial name
Macoma nasuta
(Conrad, 1837)

Macoma nasuta, commonly known as the bent-nosed clam, is a

bivalve found along the Pacific Ocean coast of North America. It is about 6 cm (2.4 in) long.[1] It is often found buried in sands of 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) in depth.[1] This rounded clam has no radial ribs. Archaeological data supports the use of this species by Native Americans such as the Chumash peoples of central California.[2]

Names

Macoma nasuta is commonly known as the bent-nosed clam or bent-nose Macoma.[3] It is commonly misidentified as either Macoma tersa or Macoma kelseyi.[3]

Description

The hinge plate is without lateral teeth and the length of shell much less than twice the height.

Posterior portions of both valves distinctly bent to the right with the siphons distinctly separated (as they are in all Macoma) and have a distinct orange pigmentation. The periostracum is usually very prominent and the shell has a dirty brown wrinkled look to it, especially near the margin.[4]

Distinguishing characteristics

Valves bent rather sharply to the right at the posterior end, orange coloration of its siphons and periostracum is usually very prominent.[3]

Habitat

Common in

sympatric species and both are the characteristic species of Macoma on the west coast of North America.[5]

Range

Found in the

neritic provinces of the eastern Pacific Ocean from Kodiak Island, Alaska, to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.[6]

Feeding and digestion

Found to feed off the top millimeter of sediment by using a boring motion with the tip of its siphon into the sediment or by using a rotating motion similar to Scrobicularia plana.[7] New sediment is found by moving the siphon into virgin sediment but the clams have also been observed to consume their pseudofeces and feces. It is assumed that the siphon tip is unselective in the particles it intakes.[8]

Non-specific

μm) bivalve Transenella tantilla has also been found living in the stomach. The relationship with both nematodes and T. tantilla is uncertain.[8]

The exhalant siphon is kept below the sediment surface (about 1 cm). The

dissections.[8]

Bioaccumulation of toxins

Due to their feeding behavior of deposit feeding, M. nasuta have been found to have high levels of

DDT and PCBs.[9]

Reproduction

M. nasuta is a

gonochoristic) species that spawns in early summer.[6][10]

Natural history

There is archaeological data to support the use of this species by Native Americans such as the Chumash peoples of central California.[2]

Predators

Shore birds, Lewis' Moon Snail:

Polinices lewisii, Starfish: Pisaster spp., Crabs: Cancer productus, Metacarcinus gracilis, Metacarcinus magister.[11]

Known parasites

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9781420036619
    .
  2. ^ a b C. Michael Hogan, Los Osos Back Bay, The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham (January, 2008)
  3. ^ a b c Dave Cowles (2005). "Macoma (Heteromacoma) nasuta (Conrad, 1837)". Walla Walla University. Archived from the original on 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  4. ISBN 0-295-97562-8
  5. ISBN 9781550172041
    .
  6. ^
    JSTOR 1540876
    .
  7. S2CID 86570453
    .
  8. ^
    S2CID 84097681
    .
  9. S2CID 84726449
    .
  10. ^ Bivalves of The Evergreen State College Campus
  11. ISBN 9780295960845
    .
  12. JSTOR 3281468
    .
  13. PMID 14125150
    .
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