Razor clams are distributed worldwide in sandy beaches, intertidal flats, and subtidal zones. Specific species of razor clams are found in the Americas, Indian Ocean, and Danish waters. In Sarawak, Malaysia, three species - Solen regularis, Solen lamarckii, and Solen sarawakensis - are found in intertidal sandy beaches and mudflats. Razor clams tolerate a range of temperatures and salinities. Their distribution can be affected by factors like dredging, low oxygen levels, rough surfaces, and parasites.

1. Presentation by : Syaza Hani binti Jamaludin (P76797)
For STAL 6013
Lecturer : Prof Othman Ross
Marine Science Program
School of the Environment and Natural Resources
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

2. DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM
INTRODUCTION ECOLOGY CONCLUSION
• RAZOR CLAM
• MORPHOLOGY
• LIFE HISTORY
• REPRODUCTION
• ECOLOGICAL ROLE
• DISTRIBUTION
• CONCERN

3. Named because their long,
convex shape resembles an
old-fashioned barber's
straight-edged razor.
American razor clam: Ensis
americanus, Ensis directus
Indian ocean: Solen dactylus
Danish waters: Phaxas
pellucidus, Ensis arcuatus
Sarawak: Solen regularis,
Solen lamarckii, Solen
Sarawakensis
DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM
What is
Razor
Clam?

4. Short siphon :
burrow below the
surface to eat
Shells covered with
yellowish
periostracum : to
protect mantle
Foot : dig, jump &
swim
Umbos nearer to
anterior than
posterior
DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM

5. 1. Spawning &
larvae
2. Juveniles &
adults
3. Age & growth
DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM

6. Dioecious mollusc
Two sexes distinguished
spawning season
Male gonad : milky-white
with smooth surface
Female gonad : beige in
colour with a rough surface
Fertilization occurs externally
in the surrounding seawater
Breeding: eggs & sperm
discharged onto wet sand &
into seaweter
Fertilization occurs
by chance
DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM

7. Razor clam filters its food from
the surrounding water
Disturbed : it can pull down up
to 30 cm deep vertically by
using sharp twitch of the foot
Suspension feeder
DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM

8. 1. Sandy beaches
2. Intertidal flats
3. Subtidal zone
Sarawak : intertidal sandy
beaches & mudflats of
Kuching, Samarahan
Sabah : Labuan Territory
Federation & sandy beaches
Teluk Mengakong, Pulau
Banggi
Peninsular Malaysia : Kuala
Langat , Tanjung Lumpur
Razor clam tolerates
with :
1. Temperature
2. salinity
DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM

9. DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM
Silt-generating
• Dredging
• During & after
time of setting
Low-surface
oxygen
• Razor clam
require high
levels of
dissolved
oxygen
Rough surface
• Routine data
hard to
gathered by
reasearcher
Paralytic shellfish
poisoning (PSP)
• Parasitic
nematode
• Ribbon worm
Parasitic nematode Marine ribbon worm

10. Starry flounder
Seagulls
Ducks
Sandpiper
Glaucous-winged gull
Green & white sturgeon
Bears
Predators
DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM

11. DISTRIBUTION OF RAZOR CLAM