Macoma Balthica Class: Bivalvia; Heterodonta Order: Veneroida Family: Tellinidae
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Phylum: Mollusca Macoma balthica Class: Bivalvia; Heterodonta Order: Veneroida Family: Tellinidae Taxonomy: Originally described as a height, and 11 mm in diameter (Oldroyd member of the genus Tellina, Macoma 1924). The illustrated specimen (from Coos balthica was the name of the Atlantic species. Bay) is 17.5 mm long. Our west coast clam was originally called M. Color: Distinct color is reddish, pale rose or inconspicua (Broderip and Sowerby 1829), white and is sometimes bluish or yellow but they are now generally considered to be (Oldroyd 1924; see Plate 17, Kozloff 1993). the same species (e.g., Vassallo, 1969, 1971; Coos Bay specimens are usually pink inside Haderlie and Abbott 1980). An extensive and out, but individuals from British Columbia, taxonomic history has yielded many Canada can have pink or yellow interiors synonyms for M. balthica. Some ambiguity (Quayle 1970). exists whether individuals from the General Morphology: Bivalve mollusks are southernmost reaches of the distribution on bilaterally symmetrical with two lateral valves east and west sides of the Atlantic should be or shells that are hinged dorsally and considered the same species (Beukema and surround a mantle, head, foot and viscera Meehan 1985) and some researchers (e.g., (see Plate 393B, Coan and Valentich-Scott Meehan 1985; Kamermans et al. 1990; 2007). Among the bivalves, the Heterodonta Luttikhuizen et al. 2012; Sanier et al. 2015) are characterized by ctenidia (or gills) that consider these allopatric populations to be are eulamellibranchiate, fused mantle subspecies (eastern Atlantic Macoma balthica margins and the presence of long siphons. balthica and western Atlantic Macoma Veneroid bivalves have well-developed hinge balthica rubra) that have been reproductively teeth and members of the family Tellinidae isolated for 2–3.5 million years (Luttikhuizen have short lateral hinge teeth (when present – et al. 2012; Saunier et al. 2015). Macoma see Possible Misidentifications), shells with petalum populations in San Francisco Bay, external striations or ribs, and deep pallial once recognized as distinct species from M. sinuses (Coan and Valentich-Scott 2007). balthica (Vainola 2003), are now believed to When holding closed shell in both hands with be genetically identical to Macoma balthica the hinged area up and the ligaments toward (the circum-Arctic species) (Brusati and you, the right valve is in the right hand (Fig. 3) Grosholz 2007). However, these may yet (Keen and Coan 1974). prove different species and their taxonomy Body: awaits further study (Coan and Valentich- Color: Scott 2007; Brusati and Grosholz 2007). Interior: Ligament is short, but Thus, the description below considers them strong, partially sunken, seated on a stout together as is done in current local intertidal callus (Dunnill and Ellis 1969), but not on a guides (e.g. Coan and Valentich-Scott 2007). nymph (Tellinidae, Coan and Valentich-Scott (see Vainola 2003 for molecular systematics 2007). of M. balthica species complex.) Exterior: Byssus: Description Ctenidia: Size: Individuals averaging 30–35 mm in Shell: The shell shape is regularly oval, length (Oldroyd 1924), but usually under 30 round, thick, with equal valves, umbos low, mm (Coan 1971) and rarely more than 45 mm almost central, and usually worn (Fig. 1). The (Coan 1971; Cardoso et al. 2003). Smallest dorsal margin is arched, the ventral margin is adults are 2 mm (Caddy 1969). Body slightly contracted (Oldroyd 1924), and there proportions are generally 27 in length, 22 in is no posterior dorsal flange (posterior to Hiebert, T.C. and K. Meyers 2015. Macoma balthica. In: Oregon Estuarine Invertebrates: Rudys' Illustrated Guide to Common Species, 3rd ed. T.C. Hiebert, B.A. Butler and A.L. Shanks (eds.). University of Oregon Libraries and Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Charleston, OR. A publication of the University of Oregon Libraries and the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Individual species: http://hdl.handle.net/1794/12907 and full 3rd edition: http://hdl.handle.net/1794/18839 Email corrections to: [email protected] ligament). Valves do not gape (Tellinidae, Tellinidae has around 16 species distributed Keen 1971) and the posterior end is rounded. between two genera locally – Tellina and Shell usually heavy, but bay specimens Macoma. These genera can be differentiated sometimes thin (Coan 1971). by the hinge teeth, Tellina species have a Interior: Pallial line is narrow and hinge with lateral teeth, while Macoma faint. The pallial sinus is large (see Plate 422, species do not. Macoma species have shells Coan and Valentich-Scott 2007) and equal that are also more rounded and inflated among valves. The sinus ends ¾ of the way thanTellina, and are smooth, white, often to anterior adductor muscle scar in both chalky. They are characterized by having a valves (Figs. 2a, 2b), and does not reach the ovate shell consisting of two equal valves, a muscle scar (Fig. 2b) (Coan and Valentich- dark and deciduous periostracum, two Scott 2007). cardinal teeth, the absence of lateral teeth Exterior: Periostracum is thin, silky, and a pallial sinus that is deeper on the left not shiny (Coan 1971), and a trace is visible valve (Scott and Blake 1998; Arruda and only ventrally. Shell sculpture consists of fine Domaneschi 2005). Macoma species may concentric growth lines only (Figs. 1, 3) also have a more northern geographic (Dunnill and Ellis 1969). distribution whileTellina are elongate, Hinge: The hinge area has no lateral relatively compressed, conspicuously teeth (Macoma, Coan and Valentich-Scott sculptured, brightly colored, and usually warm 2007). Two cardinal teeth exist in each valve water dwellers (Coan 1971). Eleven species (Figs. 4a, 4b), one stout, bifid, and the other in the infaunal genus Macoma (Luttikhuizen et single and fragile (Dunnill and Ellis 1969). al. 2012) are reported locally (although 30 Eyes: have been identified in the northeastern Foot: Pacific, Dunnill and Ellis 1969), but only Siphons: The siphons are long, separate, seven are described in local keys (e.g. Coan and mobile (Kozloff 1993). Inhalant siphons and Valentich-Scott 2007), the four most are four times the shell length, when common species of Macoma in our area are extended. Exhalant siphons held vertically M. balthica, M. nasuta, M. inquinata, and M. above surface are 1.5 cm. Siphons bear secta (Kabat and O’Foighil 1987). large palps, for sorting fine particles (Fig. 5) Two species, M. secta and M. (Yonge 1949). (For diagrams of siphon indentata have a posterior dorsal flange development, see Figs. 3, 6, Caddy 1969.) extending from posterior end to the external Burrow: ligament, this is absent in other Macoma species. The former species is called the Possible Misidentifications sand clam and has a quadrate and truncate Tellinids can be distinguished from other posterior. The latter is elongate, has a small or young bay clams (i.e., Mactridae: pointed posterior, unique muscle scars, is Tresus; Veneridae: Protothaca, Saxidomus; relatively rare and small (to 2.5 cm) and Myidae: Mya, Cryptomya) an external occurs from Trinidad, California southward. ligament, an ovate shell, an inconspicuous Macoma secta, also has a white shell, with a nymph (or supporting projection for the yellowish epidermis. Its right valve is more external ligament), sometimes reddish hue inflated than the left, and it can be large (to and lateral teeth as well as a shell with ribs or 120 mm) and is more common in clean sand, striations (no radial pattern) and shells that not in estuarine mud. never gape. Lateral teeth may or may not be The morphology of the pallial sinus present in the Tellinidae (Coan 1971). Myids differentiates the other species. In species have a hinge with a spoon-shaped without a posterior dorsal flange, M. acolasta chondrophore (left valve) and a projecting and M. yoldiformis, the anterior ventral edge tooth (right valve) (see Mya arenaria, this of the pallial sinus is detached for a portion of guide). Venerids have three cardinal teeth in the distance to the posterior adductor muscle each valve. Mactrids have an internal scar. Macoma acolasta also has a rounded ligament, A-shaped cardinal teeth, and gaping posterior, rather than pointed as in M. valves (Coan and Valentich-Scott 2007). The yoldiformis and is rare, sand-dwelling, and Hiebert, T.C. and K. Meyers 2015. Macoma balthica. In: Oregon Estuarine Invertebrates: Rudys' Illustrated Guide to Common Species, 3rd ed. T.C. Hiebert, B.A. Butler and A.L. Shanks (eds.). University of Oregon Libraries and Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Charleston, OR. occurs from Bodega Bay, California, deeper burying depths to avoid higher water southward. Macoma yoldiformis is elongate, temperatures in this region (Kamermans et al. inflated, and thin, with the pallial sinus 1990). detached from the pallial line. Although the (The following species may be present range of this clam is from Vancouver south to locally, but are not included in local Baja California, it is not included in Puget dichotomous keys). Macoma expansa, is a Sound or British Columbia work (Dunnill and rare, usually offshore species (to 50 mm) Ellis 1969). It can be found in silt in low whose pallial sinuses are perpendicular to the intertidal of protected bays (Coan and pallial line. Macoma elimata is found in 15– Valentich-Scott 2007). 476 meters of water. Macoma incongrua is a Macoma inquinata, M. nasuta and M. generally northern species which can be balthica (see descriptions in this guide) are all found to 33°N latitude, intertidally to 36 species with an anterior ventral edge of pallial meters. It has somewhat inflated valves, is sinus that is not detached and they tend to be usually 30–40 mm long, and almost round in larger (up to 110 mm) than M. acolasta or M. outline (Dunnill and Ellis 1969). Macoma yoldiformis (less than 30 mm). Macoma calcarea is found from 35 meters and lower, balthica has a pinkish hue and a pallial sinus from 37° northward.