Tridacna maxima (small giant clam) BIRUG 19135

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BIRUG 19135 is a recent specimen of Tridacna maxima, also known as the ‘small giant clam’ – a close relative of the true ‘giant clam’ (Tridacna gigas). In life the small giant clam boasts the same bright blue or green mantle as the giant clam, however rarely grows larger than 20cm. This species engages in filter feeding, however gets most of its nutrients through photosynthesis thanks to a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae. The colours of the mantle are produced by pigment cells, which may protect the mantle from intense sunlight and/or aid the photosynthesis of symbiotic zooxanthellae. T. maxima has a wide geographic range, inhabiting sandy substrates and coral reefs in the southwest and central Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the southern and eastern coasts of Africa (including Madagascar), and Colombia. This specimen was collected in Australia in 1884 by G. B. Sowerby III. Scanning was performed by Sian Miller using an Artec Spider 3D scanner.