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New Species of Giant Clam Discovered

by | Nov 26, 2013 | Conservation, Corals, Science | 0 comments

This image shows the newly discovered Tridacna clam. Image credit: E. A. Treml.

This image shows the newly discovered Tridacna clam. Image credit: E. A. Treml.

Scientists have discovered a new species of giant clam on the coral
reefs of the Indo-Pacific.  The yet to be identified clam belongs to
the genus Tridacna.

“DNA sequences strongly suggest that a distinct and unnamed species of giant clam has been hiding literally in plain sight, looking almost the same as the relatively common Tridacna maxima,” Ms Keyse said.  “To correctly describe the new species now becomes critical as the effects of getting it wrong can be profound for fisheries, ecology and
conservation,” said co-author Shane Penny, a postgraduate student at
Charles Darwin University. Read more: http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-tridacna-new-species-giant-clam-01569.html

Tridacna maxima, a close relative of the newly discovered giant clam. Image credit: Karelj.

Tridacna maxima, a close relative of the newly discovered giant clam. Image credit: Karelj.

  • Francis Yupangco

    Francis is a marine biologist with an MBA and over 20 years of professional aquarium experience. Francis is the former Aquatic Development Manager at Hagen USA., makers of Fluval brand aquarium products. He co-stars on Nat Geo WILD's reality TV series Fish Tank Kings where he is the resident "Fish Geek" and was Director of Marketing at Living Color Aquariums. He is an avid explorer having visited over 45 countries and lived in 7. At 17, he was among the youngest aquarists ever hired by the Vancouver Aquarium, where he worked for 7 years. His aquatic biology experience ranges from larval fish rearing to the design, construction and operational management of renowned public aquariums around the world. Francis is currently head of marketing at the world's largest vertically integrated fish farming company.

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