Giant Clams Coley Loudermilk and Grey Poplin Introduction: Why we chose it ● Different species in the same environment ● Recognize patterns ● Growth Identification Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Introduction: Background of Clam ● Rely on food and light ● Filter feeders ● Food sources: plankton and/or Symbiodinium(Castro/ Huber 380) ● Rely on symbiotic zooxanthellae in their mantles o Not enough plankton for them on coral reefs (Karleskint 151) ● Provide Symbiodinium with nitrogen and carbon dioxide Introduction: Research Questions 1. What is the typical growth rate of clams? 2. Does water temperature affect the growth of clams? 3. Because the clams belong to different species, does the amount of light they need in order to grow differ? 4. If giant clams are placed at different depths in the tank, will their overall growth differ? 5. Does any specific food or nutrient improve giant clams growth? - fed plankton indirectly Background of Literature ● Giant Clams by Daniel Knop ● Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium by James Fatherree ● Growth of Cultured Clams by Robert J Toonen ● Intro to Marine Bio by George Karles Kint Jr. Introduction: Hypothesis Hypothesis: If different species of clams are placed in the same tank with same amount of light and food source, then the clams will all show different patterns of growth according to their genetics Materials and Methods: Research Plan Plan: ● ● ● ● ● ● Research how a clams growth can change when their environment is altered through light and food source Change the amount of light and food intake in the frag tank Lighting is very essential to the wellbeing of giant clams because it allows them to gain energy in order to grow. To give their symbiodinium maximum light, giant clams drape their mantle over the sides of their shells in order to be fully exposed (Karleskint 293). Collect data, which will allow us to observe any changes Measure each clams growth daily and test the temperature, pH, salinity, and alkalinity of the frag tank in order to maintain a comfortable environment for our clams to live and grow in When collecting all of this data from the Frag Tank, we will record it on data sheets to organize what we have found Materials and Methods: Research Plan Experiments: ● Shade ● Calcium levels Materials: saltwater tank (frag), metal halide lights and actinic lights, food, ruler, thermometer, hydrometer, pH test kit, alkalinity test kit Datasheet 1.What is the typical growth rate? ● Squamosa: 30 to 40 cm in length ● Maxima: 30 to 40 cm in length ● Deresa: 50 to 60 cm in length ● Our clams started out as 5.5 cm, 5 cm, and 5 cm ● Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium - James Fatherree 2. Does temperature affect growth? ● Growth rate of clams increases at higher temps (86 degrees fahrenheit ) ● Grow fastest at temps just below what would kill them ● 77 degrees fahrenheit is a stable temperature ● Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium - James Fatherree 3. Because the clams belong to different species, does the amount of light they need in order to grow differ? 4. Does any specific food or nutrient improve giant clams growth? 5. If giant clams are placed at different depths in the tank, will their overall growth differ? Graph: Monthly Average Growth Graph: Metal Halide vs Actinic Lights Clam Videos http://giantclam.wiki.lovett.org/Videos Reflection on Hypothesis Hypothesis: If different species of clams are placed in the same tank with same amount of light and food source, then the clams will all show different patterns of growth according to their genetics. Maxima: 5.5cm - 6.5cm Derasa: 5cm Squamosa: 5.5cm Challenges ● Restrictions ● Derasa died - hermit crabs (Giant Clams by Daniel Knop) ● Salinity levels (James Fatherre) More Complete... ● Alter temperature ● Add calcium to overflow (Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium - James Fatherree) Research and Results ● Based around finding ways to help the clams grow ● Clams did not grow significantly over the 65 days of observing them ● In order for noticeable clam growth you must change the frag tank conditions drastically ● The mantle of the clams grew while the shell did not Future ● Place clams at all different depths to observe growth ● Reef holders ● Make sure clams are not handled often ● Check calcium levels more often Bibliography Bay Aquarium, Montery. "Giant Clam Natural History." Montery Bay Aquarium. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animalguide/invertebrates/giant-clam>. Benzie, John A. H., and Suzanne T. Williams. "Genetic Structure of Giant Clam Populations in the West Pacific is Not Consistent with Dispersal by Present-Day Ocean Currents." Society for the Study of Evolution: n. pag. Jstor. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/2411153>. Castro, Peter, and Michael E. Huber. Marine Biology. N.p.: McGraw Hill, 2010. Print. Karleskint, George, Jr. Introduction to Marine Biology. Orlando: Saunders College Publishing, n.d. Print. Kunzmann, A. "Physiological Performance of Giant Clams in a Recirculation System." Nova. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs/proceedings/files/m10-07.pdf>. Neigut, Barry. "Giant Clam Basics." Fish Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.fishchannel.com/saltwater-aquariums/reefkeeping/giant-clam-basics.aspx>. Toonen, Robert J., et al. "Growth of Cultured Giant Clams." Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: n.in Growth of Cultured Giant Clams. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print. Wilkens, Lon A. "Visual Adaptations in Tridacna: Behavioral Adaptions." Biological Bulletin: n. pag. Jstor. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/1541850>. Fatherree, James. Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium. Tampa, Florida: Liquid Medium, 2006. Print. Knop, Daniel. Giant Clams. N.p.: Kraft Druck GmbH, 1996. Print. Gilbert, Antoine, et al. "The Giant clam Tridacna maxima communities of three French Polynesia islands: comparison of their population sizes and structures at early stages of their exploitation." Oxford Journals (2006): n. pag. Print.