Pacific razor clam

The Pacific razor clam, Siliqua patula, is a species of large marine bivalve mollusc in the family Pharidae.

Pacific razor clam
A live Pacific razor clam in water
A group of Siliqua patula dug from Quinault Beach, Washington state
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Adapedonta
Family: Pharidae
Genus: Siliqua
Species:
S. patula
Binomial name
Siliqua patula
(Dixon, 1788)
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Solen patulus Dixon, 1788
  • Solecurtus nuttallii (Conrad), 1837
  • Solen nuttallii Conrad, 1837

Range

Pacific razor clams can be found along the Pacific West Coast of North America from the eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska, to Pismo Beach, California. They inhabit sandy beaches in the intertidal zone down to a maximum water depth of about 9 m (30 ft).[3]

Description

This species has an elongated oval narrow shell, which ranges from 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in) in length in the southern portion of its range, with individuals up to 28 cm (11 in) found in Alaska.[3] It is similar to the smaller Atlantic razor clam, Siliqua costata, which is found on the East Coast of the United States.

The name razor clam is also used for the Atlantic jackknife clam, Ensis directus. The Atlantic jackknife clam's genus, Ensis, is different than the Pacific razor clam's genus, Siliqua. However, they are both in the same family, Pharidae.

As food

Pacific razor clams are a highly desirable shellfish species and are collected by both commercial and recreational harvesters.[4] Razor clams, like other shellfish, may accumulate dangerous levels of the marine toxin domoic acid.[5] Harvesters should check current public health recommendations by marine authorities before collecting razor clams.

In the United States, razor clam harvesting is typically authorized by state officials several times a year.[6] Harvesters locate the clam by looking for a "show," which can present as either a hole or depression in the sand.[7] Some clams expose their siphons as the surf is receding making them far easier to spot; this behavior is called "necking".[8]

Razor clams are commonly battered and fried in butter. They can also be used to make clam chowder.

References
  1. Hiebert, T.C. (2015). "Siliqua patula The flat razor clam". In T.C. Hiebert; B.A. Butler & A.L. Shanks (eds.). Oregon Estuarine Invertebrates: Rudys' Illustrated Guide to Common Species (PDF) (3 ed.). University of Oregon Libraries and Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Charleston, OR. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. Gary Rosenberg (2011). "Siliqua patula (Dixon, 1789)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  3. "Fish and Shellfish: Razor Clams". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Archived from the original on August 6, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  4. "Personal Use Clam Fishing:Razor Clam". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  5. "Fishing & Shellfishing: personal use razor clams". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Archived from the original on August 6, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  6. "How to Razor clam". Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  7. "Digging Razor Clams". Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  8. "Razor Clam Behavior". Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved July 2, 2018.

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