Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Importance of shingle beaches as habitat for Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum

  • SPECIAL FEATURE: ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Coastal Ecosystem Complex (CEC)
  • Published:
Fisheries Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We carried out surveys to clarify how the density (no. of individuals/m2) and condition factor (CF) of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum differ between estuarine tidal flats and shingle beaches in the Bisan-Seto Strait, Seto Inland Sea, Japan. The density of Manila clams in estuarine tidal flats has been decreasing since around 2008. In contrast, Manila clams are found at considerably higher densities in some shingle beaches. Moreover, the CFs for clams inhabiting the shingle beaches are higher than those for clams inhabiting the tidal flats, indicating that shingle beaches provide a more suitable environment for Manila clams than tidal flats. Chlorophyll a concentrations in the bottom layer of seawater, used as an indicator of the amount of food available to clams, were similar in both habitats. The seawater temperature, and mud temperature, at low tide in summer were 4–6 °C higher for the tidal flat than for the shingle beach. The maximum seawater and mud temperatures for the tidal flats reached 34.1 °C and 35.4 °C, respectively, showing that Manila clams inhabiting these areas are exposed to critically high temperatures. These results indicate that shingle beaches are an important habitat for Manila clams.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cordero D, Delgado M, Liu B, Ruesink J, Saavedra C (2017) Population genetics of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) introduced in North America and Europe. Sci Rep 7:39745

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Couch CA (1989) Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of meiobenthos and their food resources. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 28:433–441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Créach V, Schricke MT, Bertru G, Mariotti A (1997) Stable isotopes and gut analysis to determine feeding relationships in saltmarsh macroconsumers. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 44:599–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dang C, de Montaudouin X, Gam M, Paroissin C, Bru N, Caill-Milly N (2010) The Manila clam population in Arcachon Bay (SW France): can it be kept sustainable? J Sea Res 63:108–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Environment Agency (1980) Survey of coastline. In: The report of the marine biotic environment survey in the 2nd national survey on the natural environment, pp 45–78 (in Japanese)

  • Fujii A, Michiyama A, Tanaka K, Yokoyama Y (2016) Quantification of effect of high temperature on survival ability of the juvenile of Manila clam. J Jpn Soc Wat Environ 39:103–108 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanyu K, Kokubu H, Hata N, Mizuno T, Hasegawa N, Ishihi Y, Watanabe S, Fujioka Y, Higano J, Inoue T, Tanaka Y, Kudo T, Yamada M, Nambu R, Kuwahara H (2017) Estimation of standing stock and factors affecting the stock fluctuation of Asari clam Ruditapes philippinarum in four regions of Ise Bay, Japan. Bull Jpn Soc Fish Oceanogr 81:110–123 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasegawa N, Abe H, Onitsuka T, Ito S (2018) Association between the planktonic larval and benthic stages of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Fish Sci 84:237–249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holm-Hansen O, Lorenzen CJ, Holms RW, Strickland DH (1965) Fluorometric determination of chlorophyll. J Conserv Perm Int Explor Mar 30:3–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys J, Caldow RWG, McGrorty S, West AD, Jensen AC (2007) Population dynamics of naturalized Manila clams Ruditapes philippinarum in British coastal waters. Mar Biol 151:2255–2270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ichimi K, Sumimoto H, Nakayama H, Kuninao T (2011) Effect of nutritional level on the standing stock and biodiversity of macrobenthos in tidal flat ecosystems and human fishing pressure on the standing stock of short-neck clam. Bull Coast Oceanogr 48:109–116 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Isono R, Kita J, Kishida C (1998) Upper temperature effect on rates of growth and oxygen consumption of the Japanese littleneck clam, Ruditapes philippinarum. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 64:373–376 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito R, Hirakawa C (2009) Observation of stomach and intestinal contents to reveal the feeding habits of the longheaded eagle ray, Aetobatus flagellum, in the coastal waters of southern Suo-Nada, Seto Inland Sea, Japan. J Fish Technol 1:39–44 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwagaki Y (1956) Hydrodynamical study on critical tractive force. Trans JSCE 41:1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Kakino J, Nakata K, Nishizawa T, Taguchi K (1991) The relationship between abundance of the short-necked clams Ruditapes philippinarum and wave action in Banzu tidal flat in Tokyo Bay. Fish Eng 28:51–55 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamohara S, Yamada S, Sone R, Aoki S (2014) Production mechanism of the juvenile Japanese littleneck clam, Ruditapes philippinarum in the Rokujo tidal flats of Mikawa Bay. Aichi Pref Fish Exp Sta Res Rep 19:1–9 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasuya T, Hamaguchi M, Furukawa K (2004) Detailed observation of spatial abundance of clam larvae Ruditapes philippinarum in Tokyo Bay, central Japan. J Oceanogr 60:631–636

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinoshita H (1985) Thermal tolerance of eggs, planktonic larvae and settled juveniles of short-necked clam, Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams et Reeve). Rep Mar Ecol Res Inst 85204:1–38 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ko Y (1957) Some histological notes on the gonads of Tapes japonica Deshayes. Bull Jpan Soc Sci Fish 23:394–399 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magni P, Montani S, Takada C, Tsutsumi H (2000) Temporal scaling and relevance of bivalve nutrient excretion on a tidal flat of the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 198:139–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsukuma A (2000) Family Veneridae. In: Okutani T (ed) Marine mollusks in Japan. Tokai University Press, Tokyo, pp 1003-1019 (in Japanese)

  • Matsukawa Y, Cho N, Katayama S, Kamio K (2008) Factors responsible for the drastic catch decline of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Japan. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 74:137–143 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumura T, Okamoto S, Kuroda N, Hamaguchi M (2001) Temporal and spatial distributions of planktonic larvae of the clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Mikawa Bay: application of an immunofluorescence identification method. Jpn J Benthol 56:1–8 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1965–2016) Annual statistics of fishery and fish culture. https://www.maff.go.jp/j/tokei/kouhyou/kaimen_gyosei/index.html. Accessed 2 Mar 2018 (in Japanese)

  • Natural Conservation Bureau, Environment Agency and Marine Parks Center of Japan (1994) Tidal flats. In: The report of marine biotic environment survey in the 4th national survey on the natural environment, vol. 1 (in Japanese)

  • Peterson BJ, Fry B (1987) Stable isotopes in ecosystem studies. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 18:293–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponurovsky SK, Yakovlev YM (1992) The reproductive biology of the Japanese littleneck, Tapes philippinarum (A. Adams and Reeve, 1850) (Bivalvia: Veneridae). J Shellfish Res 11:265–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Riera P, Richard P (1996) Isotopic determination of food sources of Crassostrea gigas along a trophic gradient in the estuarine bay of Marennes-Oleron. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 42:347–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riera P, Richard P (1999) Determination of food sources for benthic invertebrates in a salt marsh (Aiguillon Bay, France) by carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes: importance of locally produced sources. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 187:301–307

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Setouchi Net (2018) Environmental information of the Seto Inland Sea. https://www.env.go.jp/water/heisa/heisa_net/setouchiNet/seto/g2/g2cat01/index.html. Accessed 2 Mar 2018 (in Japanese)

  • Shibata T (2004) Settlement, growth and survival of the juvenile of Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, on Banzu tidal flat in Tokyo Bay. Bull Chiba Pref Fish Res Cen 3:57–62 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi S, Miyoshi J, Mishima Y (2012) The relationship between red tide outbreaks, nutrient distribution and tidal current intensity in Bisan-Seto, Japan. Jpn J Limnol 73:207–215 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takeyama K, Sassa S, Makino T (2015) Experimental study on the maintenance and management of nursery habitats for Ruditapes philippinarum considering geo-environmental dynamics. J JSCE B3(71):862–867 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toba M, Natsume Y, Yamakawa H (1992) Sexual maturation and spawning of Japanese littleneck Tapes philippinarum collected from Tokyo Bay. Fish Eng 29:47–53 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Toba M, Yamakawa H, Shoji N, Kobayashi Y (2012) Vertical distribution of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum larvae characterized through year-round observations in Tokyo Bay, Japan. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 78:1135–1148 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toba M (2017) Revisiting recent decades of conflicting discussions on the decrease of Asari clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Japan: a review. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 83:914–941 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toba M, Miyama Y (1992) Comparison of the effects of several treatments for spawning induction in Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum. Suisanzoshoku 40:303–311 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Toba M, Miyama Y (1994) Relationship of size to gonadal maturation and spawning in artificially conditioned Manila clams. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 60:173–178 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsuji S, Munekiyo M (1996) Some distributional aspects of Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, in Maizuru Bay. Suisanzoshoku 44:133–139 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsutsumi H, Nishioka T, Kitagawa N, Fujiyoshi Y, Kozaki M, Yamamoto M, Ichinomiya M, Komorita T (2018) Seasonal changes in short-neck clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) population and its controlling factors on Sashiki Tidal Flats. Jpn J Benth 73:1–10 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Usuki H, Sakiyama K, Yamazaki H (2012) Tank experiments for preserveation of predation on short-neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum by longheaded eagle ray Aetobatus flagellum. J Fish Tech 5:57–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe Y, Kawamura T, Yamashita Y (2018) Introduction: the coastal ecosystem complex as a unit of structure and function of biological productivity in coastal areas. Fish Sci 84:149–152

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaguchi A, Kawahara I, Ito S (2005) Occurrence, growth and food of longheaded eagle ray Aetobatus flagellum, in Ariake Sound, Kyushu, Japan. Environ Biol Fish 74:229–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yap WG (1977) Population biology of the Japanese littleneck clam, Tapes philippinarum in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Sci 31:223–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama H, Tamaki A, Harada K, Shimoda K, Koyama K, Ishii Y (2005) Variability of diet-tissue isotopic fractionation in estuarine macrobenthos. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 296:115–128

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama H, Ishii Y (2003) Feeding of the bivalve Theora lubrica on benthic microalgae: isotopic evidence. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 255:303–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our thanks to the editor and reviewers for their many helpful suggestions. This work was supported by the Coastal Ecosystem Complex Project of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kazuhiko Ichimi.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is sponsored by the Coastal Ecosystem Complex Project of the Ocean Resource Use Promotion Technology Development Program, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ichimi, K., Honda, M., Okada, Y. et al. Importance of shingle beaches as habitat for Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Fish Sci 85, 417–427 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-019-01300-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-019-01300-8

Keywords

Navigation