Hard Clam [Mercenaria mercenaria]
Description
The hard clam, also known as the quahog, round clam, or hard-shell clam, is a bivalve mollusk that inhabits the sandy bottoms of the Western Atlantic, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is renowned for its economic importance, being a popular delicacy in the United States. It is characterized by its large, hard shell, which is usually a brownish or grayish color, and its round, meaty body.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Clams, Oysters, and Scallops
Bivalvia
|
| Order |
Clams
Veneroida
|
| Family |
Venus Clams
Veneridae
|
| Genus |
Mercenaria
Mercenaria
|