Corbicula fluminalis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corbicula fluminalis |
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| Views of a shell of Corbicula fluminalis | |
| Scientific classification |
Corbicula fluminalis is a type of freshwater clam. It is an aquatic animal, meaning it lives in water. This clam is a bivalve mollusk, which means it has two shells that are hinged together. It belongs to the family Cyrenidae.
This species is often mistaken for another similar clam called Corbicula fluminea. Even though both clams originally came from Asia, they are now found in places like the United States and Europe. They are both known as "Asian clams" in these new areas.
Telling Apart Asian Clams
It can be tricky to tell the two types of Asian clams apart: Corbicula fluminea and Corbicula fluminalis. People often mix up their scientific names too. It's important to look closely to know which one you are seeing.
Shell Shape and Size
One way to tell these clams apart is by their shape. If you look at the side of the shell, where the two halves open, Corbicula fluminalis looks more round, almost like a heart. On the other hand, Corbicula fluminea is a bit flatter, like a teardrop with a wide, flat end.
Even small Corbicula fluminalis clams are almost perfectly round, like a tiny ball. But small Corbicula fluminea clams are quite flat.
The main reason for these shape differences is the umbo. The umbo is the oldest part of the shell, located near the hinge. In Corbicula fluminalis, the umbo is much more swollen, pointed, and sticks out more.
Counting Shell Ribs
The easiest way to tell the two species apart is by looking at the ribs on their shells. These are the raised lines you can feel on the outside of the shell.
- Corbicula fluminea usually has 7 to 14 ribs in every centimeter.
- Corbicula fluminalis has many more ribs, from 13 to 28 ribs per centimeter.
You can even see this difference in very small clams, about 5 millimeters wide. You just need to compare them directly.
See also
- List of introduced mollusc species of Venezuela
