gaper clam

gaper clam

also called  Horse Clam 

      (Tresus nuttallii and Tresus capax), either of two species of bivalve mollusks of the family Mactridae. These clams live in sand and mud flats along the coast of western North America from Alaska to Baja California. The shells of both species reach about 200 millimetres (8 inches) in length. They are roughly oblong in shape and creamy white in colour. Gaper clams have long, fused siphons that are contained in sheathlike tubes; the siphons are not fully retractable into the shell. The clams burrow up to one metre (three feet) deep into sediment. Gaper clams are edible and are heavily fished at spring tides. They are commonly infected with larval tapeworm cysts, but these are harmless to humans.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • gaper clam — Gaper Gap er (g[=a]p [ e]r), n. 1. One who gapes. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) A European fish. See 4th {Comber}. (b) A large edible clam ({Schizoth[ae]rus Nuttalli}), of the Pacific coast; called also {gaper clam}. (c) An East Indian bird of …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gaper — Gap er (g[=a]p [ e]r), n. 1. One who gapes. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) A European fish. See 4th {Comber}. (b) A large edible clam ({Schizoth[ae]rus Nuttalli}), of the Pacific coast; called also {gaper clam}. (c) An East Indian bird of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • clam — clam1 clamlike, adj. clammer, n. /klam/, n., v., clammed, clamming. n. 1. any of various bivalve mollusks, esp. certain edible species. Cf. quahog, soft shell clam. 2. Informal. a secretive or silent person. 3 …   Universalium

  • Clam chowder — New England clam chowder. Dish details Serving temperature Hot Main ingredient(s) Clams …   Wikipedia

  • Clam — For other uses, see Clam (disambiguation). Clam Edible clams in the family Veneridae Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Clam liquor — Liquid extracted during cooking and opening of clams; also called clam extract; undiluted it is called clam broth, and when concentrated by evaporation is called clam nectar. May be canned in all these forms or used to fill up canned clam… …   Wikipedia

  • gaper — /gay peuhr/, n. 1. a person or thing that gapes. 2. Also called horse clam. a large clam, Tresus capax, common on gravelly and coarse sand beaches. [1630 40; GAPE + ER1] * * * …   Universalium

  • gaper — gap•er [[t]ˈgeɪ pər[/t]] n. 1) a person or thing that gapes 2) ivt a large clam, Tresus capax, common on gravelly beaches • Etymology: 1630–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • horse clam — gaper. [1830 40, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

  • horse clam — gaper. [1830 40, Amer.] …   Useful english dictionary

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