bivalves text index | photo index
Phylum Mollusca > Class Bivalvia > Family Mactridae
Big brown mactra clam
Mactra grandis
Family Mactridae
updated May 2020
Where seen? This large brown clam is often seen on our Northern shores in silty and sandy areas near seagrass. Usually alone, sometimes half buried in the ground. According to Wong, it is perhaps the most commonly encountered member of the Family Mactridae in Singapore. It was previously known as Mactra mera.

Features: 6-7cm. The two-part shell is thick, smooth and usually unmarked, in shades of plain brown to purplish brown. It has a short siphon and usually lies buried just beneath the surface with its siphon sticking out. Sometimes, though, an unburied individual might be encountered on the shore.

Changi, Jan 07

Pulau Sekudu, May 12

Changi, Aug 12
The Great Escape: The clam can use its foot to leap away from predators like the Noble volute and Moon snails.

A clam using its foot to leap away from a Moon snail.
Changi, Jul 11

Changi, Jan 07
A clam using its foot to leap away from a Noble volute.
Big brown mactra clam (Mactra grandis) escapes from a Noble volute (Cymbiola nobilis)

Big brown mactra clams on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


East Coast-Marina East, Jul 20
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook.

Changi East (Lost Coast), Jul 24
Photo shared by Kelvin Yong on facebook.


Berlayar Creek, Apr 16
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

St. John's Island, Apr 16
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.


Sisters Island, Aug 15
Photo shared by Heng Pei Yan on facebook.

Sisters Island, Aug 15
Photo shared by Heng Pei Yan on facebook.

Links

References

  • Tan Siong Kiat and Henrietta P. M. Woo, 2010 Preliminary Checklist of The Molluscs of Singapore (pdf), Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore.
  • Wong, H. W., 2009. The Mactridae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) of East Coast Park, Singapore. Nature in Singapore, 2: 283-296.
links | references | about | email Ria
Spot errors? Have a question? Want to share your sightings? email Ria I'll be glad to hear from you!
wildfactsheets website©ria tan 2008