Definition of Asian clam
:a small, freshwater, bivalve mollusk (Corbicula fluminea) that has a yellowish to brown shell with concentric rows of raised ridges and is chiefly of Asian origin and has been widely introduced especially into U.S. waters
- Non-native Asian clams are spreading rapidly across parts of Lake Tahoe, often accompanied by stringy mats of bright green algae, and posing a new threat to the world-renowned mountain lake.
- —Tom Knudson, Sacramento Bee, 19 Aug. 2009
- When jostled by turbulent water, an Asian clam “lifts off” the floor with its foot and releases a transparent mucous film that can catch the current like a sail.
- —Science, December 1984
Note:
The Asian clam is often considered an invasive species in the U.S. where it is known to clog water intake pipes and compete with native species for food.
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