Revisiting the indigenous distribution of the “Manila clam” Ruditapes philippinarum: Mechanisms of persistent error
Humphreys, J. (2025). Revisiting the indigenous distribution of the “Manila clam” Ruditapes philippinarum: Mechanisms of persistent error. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 314: 109152. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109152
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015, more
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| Keywords |
Ruditapes philippinarum (A. Adams & Reeve, 1850) [WoRMS]; Venerupis (Ruditapes) philippinarum (A. Adams & Reeve, 1850) [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Manila clam; Asari; Error cascades; Identification error; Ruditapes aspera |
| Abstract |
Due to introductions for aquaculture, the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum has a cosmopolitan world distribution and annual global market value which has exceeded US$ 6 billion. The indigenous distribution of the species is centred on temperate east Asian coasts. Repeated claims that the species is present in the tropics are disputed and the literature contradictory. The London type specimen is not, as often assumed, the holotype and the Philippine type locality is unsafe. Disorganised nineteenth century collection practice led to an erroneous tropical type locality and the misleading species name philippinarum. This in turn contributed to a predisposition to mis-identify a similar tropical species as R. philippinarum. Modern citation practices which lead back to no ultimate authority have created error cascades which perpetuate and amplify distribution errors in both the scientific literature and on-line species registers. Disruption of the positive feedback loop between misleading distribution citations and mis-identifications will require improved citation practices, increased use of diagnostic soft tissue features and when possible routine molecular sequencing. Resulting consensus would provide a reliable baseline for the assessment of climate-related changes in distribution, the clam's geographical potential as an economic asset, and the risks attached to its introduction for aquaculture. Morphological features for reliable identification are summarised. |
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