VLIZ Alien Species Consortium (2024). Mya arenaria - Strandgaper, in: Geïntroduceerde niet-inheemse soorten in het Belgisch deel van de Noordzee en aanpalende estuaria anno 2024. VLIZ Special Publication, 93: pp. 623-628
In: Verleye, T.J. et al. (2024). Geïntroduceerde niet-inheemse soorten in het Belgisch deel van de Noordzee en aanpalende estuaria anno 2024. VLIZ Special Publication, 93. Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee (VLIZ): Oostende. ISBN 9789464206319. 826 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.48470/96
In: VLIZ Special Publication. Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee (VLIZ): Oostende. ISSN 1377-0950
Related to:
VLIZ Alien Species Consortium (2022). Mya arenaria. Niet-inheemse soorten in het Belgisch deel van de Noordzee en omliggende estuaria = Non-indigenous species from the Belgian part of the North Sea and estuaria. VLIZ Alien Species Consortium (VLIZ): Oostende. Diff. pag. pp., more
The Sand gaper or Soft shell clam Mya arenaria got introduced from America in the 16th or 17th century via shipping. However, there are indications that the Vikings brought this species – intentionally for consumption or accidentally in the water of the ship’s hold – to Europe in the 13th century. Because of its opportunistic lifestyle, the species can survive in different environments, which explains its global distribution. This large bivalve (up to 15 cm) can strongly influence the environment when present in large numbers. Due to its buried lifestyle (up to 40 cm deep), its presence is often difficult to determine.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy
