mangrove clam for 10 February 2026

Mangrove Clam Latest News

Recently, the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has successfully achieved captive breeding of the mangrove clam (Geloina erosa). 

About Mangrove Clam

• Mangrove clams, commonly known as mud clams, locally called 'Kandal Kakka' in northern Kerala.
• It belongs to the genus Polymesoda or Geloina.
• Habitat: They are found in muddy, brackish, and even nearly freshwater regions within mangrove swamps.
• Distribution: These are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region.

Characteristics of Mangrove Clam

• It is a burrowing bivalve inhabiting organic-rich muddy substrates in intertidal mangrove ecosystems. 
• This species displays remarkable tolerance, enabling them to thrive across a broad spectrum of salinity levels.
• Life cycle: The life cycle of the clam consists of four distinct phases: larval stage, spat, juvenile and adult clam.
• Feeding behavior: It is a filter-feeding species, primarily active during low-tide immersion stages characterized by frequent inundation.
• Ecological Role: It plays a crucial ecological role by recycling nutrients, stabilising sediments and strengthening mangrove ecosystems,
• It provides food security and livelihoods in coastal regions.
• Threats: In India, particularly along the east coast and in island regions, wild stocks have been steadily declining due to indiscriminate harvesting, habitat degradation, pollution and coastal development.

 Source: Business Line