Study

Can giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) populations be restored on Singapore's heavily impacted coral reefs?

  • Published source details Guest J.R., Todd P.A., Goh E., Sivalonganathan B.S. & Reddy K.P. (2008) Can giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) populations be restored on Singapore's heavily impacted coral reefs?. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 18, 570-579.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Transplant/release captive-bred or hatchery-reared species - Transplant/release molluscs

Action Link
Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Conservation
  1. Transplant/release captive-bred or hatchery-reared species - Transplant/release molluscs

    A replicated study in 2004 at four coral reef sites in the Singapore Strait (Guest et al. 2008) found that after being transplanted in the field aquarium-reared giant clams Tridacna squamosa had a high survival rate and grew over seven months. Of the 144 clams transplanted, 116 were recovered (80.6%), but survival rates differed amongst transplant sites (24–34 out of 36 transplanted clams per site). All recovered clams had increased in weight, shell length and shell height over the seven-month transplant, but rates differed amongst transplant sites (3.3–4.8 mm/month). In April 2004, a total of 144 aquarium-reared clams (eighteen-month old) were equally divided into 24 groups (6 clams/group) and transplanted into four sites (6 groups/site). Clams were released 50 cm above the seabed. Prior to transplant and after seven months, all clams were weighted, and their shell lengths and heights measured.

    (Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson & Laura Pettit)

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