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Mercenaria campechiensis
Species of bivalve From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mercenaria campechiensis, also known as the southern hardshell clam,[1] southern hard clam,[2] and southern quahog,[3][4] is a species of bivalve belonging to the family Veneridae.[1][5][6] The species is found in western North Atlantic north to New Jersey (USA), including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico[5][6] in waters shallower than 20 meters.[1]
Mercenaria campechiensis is harvested commercially for human consumption.[1][4] It can hybridize with Mercenaria mercenaria where their local distributions overlap. However, it typically occurs in nearshore open-ocean waters, whereas Mercenaria mercenaria is found in embayments and estuaries.[2][4]
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Description
Mercenaria campechiensis can grow to a total length of 15–18 cm (5.9–7.1 in).[1][3] It can reach at least 28 years in age.[3] The shell is roundish. The presence of anterior concentric ridges can be used to differentiate Mercenaria campechiensis from Mercenaria mercenaria (ridges absent).[4]
Right and left valve of the same specimen:
Right valve
Left valve
References
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