Mangrove Clam

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.

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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