Giant clams
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Within the bivalve molluscs the giant clams are classified in the Order
Cardiacea and the Family Tridacnidae. Their nearest relatives are the cockles. Within the group there are nine recognized living species, comprised of seven species of the genus Tridacna and two of the genus Hippopus. Additionally, there are a number of extinct species which are
conspicuous in the fossil record (Rosewater, 1965).
They are unique in the bivalve molluscs in having established a symbiosis
with one or more species of dinoflagellate algae, termed zooxanthellae, which enables them to survive almost exclusively on the products of photosynthesis.
Lucas (1988) gives a comprehensive guide to the taxonomic features and
distribution of seven of the living species. Two additional species, T. tevoroa (Lucas et ah, 1991) and T. rosewateri (Sirenko and Scarlato, 1991) have recently been described.
Citation
Nearshore marine resources of the South Pacific: information for fisheries development and management
