Blood Clam [Scapharca]

Description

Scapharca is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Noetiidae, commonly known as blood clams. These clams are named for their red hemoglobin liquid inside their soft tissues. Scapharca species are characterized by their thick and robust shells, which are often rounded or oval in shape with a shallowly convex exterior. They inhabit sandy or muddy substrates in shallow to moderate depths and are distributed in various parts of the world, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. These clams are notable for their ability to bind oxygen with hemoglobin, similar to vertebrates, which allows them to survive in low-oxygen environments.

Species

Atlantic Blood Ark [Anadara ovalis]

View Details

Thick Shell Blood Ark [Anadara brasiliana]