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Soft Shell Clam Mya arenaria
Baker, Patrick K. Mann, Roger L.
Baker, Patrick K.
Mann, Roger L.
Abstract
Large populations of soft shell clams persist only in relatively shallow, sandy, mesohaline portions of the Chesapeake Bay. These areas are mostly in Maryland, but also occur in the Rappahannock River, Virginia. In some other portions of the Bay, especially polyhaline portions, low populations of soft shell clams persist subtidally. Restricted populations persist intertidally. Soft shell clams grow rapidly in the Chesapeake Bay, reaching commercial size in two years or less. They reproduce twice per year, in spring and fall, but probably only fall spawnings are important in maintaining population levels. Major recruitment events do not occur in most years, despite heavy annual sets. Soft shell clams are important food for many predators. Major predators on juveniles include blue crabs, mud crabs, flatworms, mummichogs, and spot. Major predators on adults include blue crabs, eels, and cownose rays. Some other species that may depend heavily on soft shell clams include ducks, geese, swans, muskrats, and raccoons. Diseases may play an important role in regulating adult populations of soft shell clams; hydrocarbon pollution is linked to increased frequency of disease. Oil pollution does the most widespread and persistent damage to soft shell clams through toxicity, aside from its role in inducing disease. Heavy metals, pesticides, and similar pollutants can be extremely toxic, but the harmful effects to clams do not last if the pollution abates. The main concern with the latter toxicants is bioaccumulation by soft shell clams, with the potential for passing toxic contaminants on to predators or to humans. Siltation caused by storm events, dredging operations, or erosion, can smother clam populations. Eutrophication, enhanced by nutrient inputs from sewage or agriculture, is not known to have affected soft shell clam populations.
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1991-06-01
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Living Resources Subcommittee, Chesapeake Bay Program
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Habitat_soft_shell_clam.pdf
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Virginia Institute of Marine Science