Tegillarca granosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
Tegillarca granosa, also referred to as Anadara granosa, is a type of ark clam recognized as the blood cockle or blood clam because of the presence of red haemoglobin liquid within its soft tissues.It belongs to the marine bivalve mollusk species in the Arcidae family.
Current Status of Name :
This name is currently accepted taxonomically.
Rank : Species
Environment : Marine
Taxonomy Classification
- Kingdom : Animalia
- Phylum : Mollusca
- Class : Bivalvia
- Order : Arcida
- Family : Arcidae
- Genus : Tegillarca
- Species : Tegillarca granosa
Tegillarca granosa
Description :
Shell Morphology:
- Size: Shell length typically 5-10 cm, but can reach up to 12 cm.
- Shape: Rectangular to elongate-oval in outline.
- Valves: Thick, heavy, and moderately inflated.
- Exterior: Covered with coarse, granular radial ribs or ridges from the umbo to the ventral margin. Ridges are rough and granular in texture.
- Color: Exterior ranges from reddish-brown to yellowish-brown, often with darker concentric rings or streaks.
- Interior: Smooth and glossy, white or cream-colored.
- Hinge: Straight hinge line with numerous small teeth arranged in a row (taxodont hinge).
- Ligament: External ligament on a thick nymphal ridge.
- Periostracum: Thin and often eroded on older shells.
Anatomy:
- Body: Stout and rounded, whitish in color.
- Mantle: Thick and muscular, with a single exhalant siphon.
- Gills: Large and well-developed for filter feeding.
- Foot: Large, strong, and used for burrowing and anchoring.
- Adductor muscles: Two strong adductor muscles attach the body to the valves.
Habitat and Distribution:
- Found along the coasts of the northwestern Pacific Ocean, including Japan, Korea, China, and Russia.
- Inhabits sandy or muddy seafloors in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, typically at depths up to 50 meters.
- Often partially buried in the sediment.
Ecology and Behavior:
- Filter feeder, using its gills to strain plankton, detritus, and other suspended particles from the water.
- Buries itself in the sediment with its strong foot, leaving the siphon exposed for filter feeding.
- Serves as food for various predators, including crabs, fish, and seabirds.
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
- Sexually dimorphic, with separate male and female individuals.
- Broadcast spawners, releasing gametes into the water column for external fertilization.
- Larvae (veligers) undergo planktonic stages before settling to the seafloor.
- Growth is relatively slow, with individuals living up to several decades.
Commercial Importance:
- Commercially harvested and consumed as a food source in many parts of its range.
- Considered a delicacy in some Asian cuisines, used in soups, stews, and other dishes.
- Also used as bait for fishing in some regions.
Conservation Status:
- The IUCN has not assessed the global conservation status of Tegillarca granosa.
- Some local populations may be threatened by overharvesting, habitat degradation, and pollution.
Note: This description covers the key aspects of the species, including taxonomy, shell morphology, anatomy, habitat, ecology, reproduction, commercial importance, and conservation status.