Savor Clam

Facts about Savor Clams, "Scientific name for Savor Clam Nuttalia obscurata". Savor clams are a variety of saltwater clam, which are sea bivalve mollusks that belong to the genus Nuttallia of the Psammobiidae family. The scientific name of the savor clam variety is Nuttalia obscurata, and they are called by other common names, such as dark mahogany clam, purple mahogany clam, and varnish clam. These clams are native to Japan, and they have been brought into the North American coastlines of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, in Washington, British Columbia and Oregon, where it is measured to be an enveloping species and it is regularly harvested for food there. The clam attained the name Varnish clam due to the glossy brown covering on the external surface of its shell.

Features about Savor Clam

Though there is some doubt as to how big Savor clams may grow, from the studies it is revealed that these clams are capable of growing to a maximum length of 2.72 inches (68 mm), with the body mass of 0.09 pounds (45.1 grams).

Savor clams have a strong shell in which the interior surface is part generally an even purple shade. Though the current name of the clam is Nuttallia obscurata, it was refereed with other names, such as Psammobia olivacea, Soletellina obscurata and Nuttallia solida in the past. This clam variety was once considered a subspecies of Sanguinolaria, and it is one among the three Nuttallia clam varieties that are native to Korea, Japan and China.

Savor clams have nearly an oval-shaped body, with the somewhat longer and angular posterior end. The shell of the clam is relatively even, with a big outside hinge ligament. These clams have a big foot and elongated unfused siphons, which are the indicative of a burrowing variety that is capable of living deep in the substrate. However, some reports finding the shell of Savor clams, with the minimum length of 3 inches (75mm) at Orcas Island in the year 1999.

It is hard to develop an exact size to age association in Savor clams by calculating the growth rings. These may have an effect due to density and tidal height in addition to substrate consistency, which can generate extra rings because of disturbances in growth. Savor clams are capable of attaining a length of 1.52 inches (38 mm) in four years, which is a rate analogous to that of the Manila clam. There are a few indications that the savor clam may grow more quickly in Puget Sound than in the upper areas of the Georgia Straits.

Behavior of Savor Clam

Similar to other clam varieties, Savor clams are broadcast spawners, with a planktonic larvae episode. The fast expansion of populations along the Oregon Coast and in the Georgia Strait suggests quite an extended planktonic period, which may cause wider dispersal. Usually, reproduction in Savor clams will take place between the beginning of the spring and summer season. In British Columbia, the spawning and survival rate of these clams are high settlement rates and, or an extremely low death rate. In the Northwest Pacific these clams reach sexual maturity after one year of their birth, and they use to spawn every year. There is every cause to anticipate that these Savor clams could turn out to be as ubiquitous as other varieties of clams the Northwest Pacific.