Razor shell
Razor shell | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Adapedonta |
Superfamily: | Solenoidea |
Family: | Pharidae |
Genus: | Ensis |
Species: | E. magnus
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Binomial name | |
Ensis magnus Schumacher, 1817
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Synonyms[1] | |
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The razor shell, Ensis magnus, also called razor clam, razor fish
In some locations, the
Description
It is known for its elongated, rectangular shape, which presents a similarity to the
Razor shells have a fragile shell, with open ends. The shell is smooth on the outside and whitish in color, with vertical and horizontal reddish-brown or purplish-brown markings separated by a diagonal line. The
Habits
The razor shell lives under the sand, using its powerful foot to dig to a safe depth. Its digging activity comprises six stages, repeated cyclically. A digging cycle involves integration of the muscular foot (which takes up a large part of the body) with the opening and closing of the valve and one end. The foot is inflated
Its presence is revealed by a keyhole-shaped hole in the sand, made by its
Razor clams can grow up to eight inches long, but are typically only four to six inches. Razor clams are
Reproduction
In the razor shell sexual development is highly synchronous. During the summer, they are in the sexual rest stage, and gametogenesis begins at the start of autumn. In winter and spring consecutive spawns take place, interrupted by gonadal restoration periods.[6]
Vulnerability
Many intertidal populations of razor shell have declined as a result of overfishing; the species is in decline in many areas.
Razor shells are very sensitive to minor perturbations in, for instance, salinity and temperature. They will emerge from their burrows if salt or brine is poured in.[7]
Disease
Razor shells have been found to be vulnerable to
References
- ^ "Ensis magnus Schumacher, 1817". MolluscaBase. World Register of Marine Species. 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ "Razor Fish Recipes". Simple Chinese Food. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
- ^ Breen, Mike; Trevor Howe; Phil Copland (February 2011). "A REPORT ON ELECTRICAL FISHING FOR RAZOR CLAMS (ENSIS SP.) AND ITS LIKELY EFFECTS ON THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT" (PDF). Marine Scotland Science Report 03/11. Marine Scotland Science Marine Laboratory: 11. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ "Large specimen". photobucket.com. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- S2CID 46008789.
- ^ .
- ^ "Emerging from their burrows". Archived from the original on 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2008-12-08.