Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea)
Native range: The Asian clam is native to south Asia, Africa, and central and eastern Australia.
Invasive range: The Asian clam is found throughout most of the U.S., centralized around various river systems. However, it has not been seen in North Dakota or Alaska.
Method of introduction: It is thought to have been introduced into the U.S. as a food source, since it is consumed in its native range, but this remains unclear. It could also have been introduced with another species, the Giant Pacific oyster.
Impacts: As with other invasive species, the Asian clam is known to out compete native species for food and other necessities. They can also congregate and block water pipes or other waterways.
Identification: These clams can be rather small in size (see their comparison to a nickel) and can range in shell hue from shades of brown to darker hues depending on their location. They typically have circular rings on the surface of their shells, spreading outward from the hinge of the shell to the outer mouth.
Methods of control: A few methods of control have been used for the Asian clam, such as molluscicides. A management plan to ensure a quick response to sightings and select an appropriate control method is effective for reducing the spread of these clams.
Invasive range: The Asian clam is found throughout most of the U.S., centralized around various river systems. However, it has not been seen in North Dakota or Alaska.
Method of introduction: It is thought to have been introduced into the U.S. as a food source, since it is consumed in its native range, but this remains unclear. It could also have been introduced with another species, the Giant Pacific oyster.
Impacts: As with other invasive species, the Asian clam is known to out compete native species for food and other necessities. They can also congregate and block water pipes or other waterways.
Identification: These clams can be rather small in size (see their comparison to a nickel) and can range in shell hue from shades of brown to darker hues depending on their location. They typically have circular rings on the surface of their shells, spreading outward from the hinge of the shell to the outer mouth.
Methods of control: A few methods of control have been used for the Asian clam, such as molluscicides. A management plan to ensure a quick response to sightings and select an appropriate control method is effective for reducing the spread of these clams.
Resources:
- Asian Clam. Adirondack Watershed Institute. [accessed 2019 April 22]. https://www.adkwatershed.org/stewardship/invasive-species-info/asian-clam.
- 2011 Feb. Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea): Ecological Risk Screening Summary. [accessed 2019 April 22]. https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ans/erss/highrisk/Corbicula-fluminea-ERSS-revision-July2015.pdf.
- Asian Clam. U.S. Department of Agriculture. [accessed 2019 April 22]. https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/asian-clam.
- Foster, A.M., Fuller, P., Benson, A., Constant, S., Raikow, D., Larson, J., and Fusaro, A.. 2018 Feb 12. Corbicula fluminea (O. F. Müller, 1774). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 22]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?speciesid=92.
- 2019. Species profile: Corbicula fluminea. Global Invasive Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 23]. http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=537.
Images Courtesy of:
1. Noel Burkhead, U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed from: Foster, A.M., Fuller, P., Benson, A., Constant, S., Raikow, D., Larson, J., and Fusaro, A.. 2018 Feb 12. Corbicula fluminea (O. F. Müller, 1774). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 22]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?speciesid=92.
2. Amy Benson, U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed from: Asian Clam. Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program. [accessed 2019 May 7]. http://adkinvasives.com/species_of_concern/asian-clam/.
1. Noel Burkhead, U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed from: Foster, A.M., Fuller, P., Benson, A., Constant, S., Raikow, D., Larson, J., and Fusaro, A.. 2018 Feb 12. Corbicula fluminea (O. F. Müller, 1774). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 22]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?speciesid=92.
2. Amy Benson, U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed from: Asian Clam. Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program. [accessed 2019 May 7]. http://adkinvasives.com/species_of_concern/asian-clam/.