Ensis
Ensis sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Adapedonta
Family: Pharidae
Genus: Ensis
Schumacher, 1817 [1]
Species

See text

Ensis is a genus of medium-sized edible saltwater clams, littoral bivalve molluscs in the family Pharidae. Ensis, or razor clams, are known in much of Scotland as spoots, for the spouts of water they eject while burrowing into the sand, when visible at low tide.[2] This term may also colloquially include members of the genus Solen. Ensis magnus are known as bendies due to their slightly curved shell.

Description

The shells are long, narrow, and parallel-sided. This shape resembles a closed, old-fashioned straight razor (a cut-throat razor), or a closed jackknife (pocket knife) and sometimes these clams are known as razor shells or jackknives. The shells in these species are fragile and can easily be damaged when digging for these clams.

Ecology

Ensis species live in clean sand on exposed beaches. They are capable of digging very rapidly; see the description under the Atlantic jackknife clam. Some clammers catch jackknives by pouring salt on the characteristic keyhole-shaped breathing holes. The clam then tries to escape the salt by coming up out of its hole, and at this point it is possible to gently grab the shell and pull it out of the ground.

Species

Thirteen species are currently recognised:[1]

References

  1. ^ a b S. Gofas (2010). P. Bouchet, S. Gofas & G. Rosenberg (ed.). "Ensis Schumacher, 1817". World Marine Mollusca database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  2. ^ Breen, Mike; Trevor Howe; Phil Copland (February 2011). "A REPORT ON ELECTRICAL FISHING FOR RAZOR CLAMS (ENSIS SP.) AND ITS LIKELY EFFECTS ON THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT" (PDF). Marine Scotland Science Report 03/11. Marine Scotland Science Marine Laboratory: 11. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
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