2080 



Abelson, Philip H. 



1963. 



Geochemistry of amino acids. In 

 (ed.) . Earth Sci. Ser. Monogr. 16. 



Organic Geochemistry. Irving A. Breger 

 Macmillan Co., New York: 431-455. 



Meroenaria meroenaria is represented by fossil specimens dating back at least 

 25 million years. Comparison of recent and older specimens showed that 

 marked changes had occurred in fossil proteins (e.g., specimens from the 

 Pleistocene thought to be in the range of 100,000 to 1 million years old). 

 Total amino acid content of Pleistocene shells was only 18% of that found in 

 recent shells. When Miocene shells (25 million yrs old) were examined, 

 amino acids were found, but no traces of proteins or peptides. Initially 

 most protein of the shell is evidently present in water-insoluble layers. 

 For thousands of yrs only moderate changes occur, which do not affect solu- 

 bility of protein. By the time 1 to 5% of the peptide bonds are broken 

 (10,000 to 100,000 yrs) protein fragments are much more soluble and some can 

 be leached out of the shell. Some of the amino acids or peptides are probably 

 entrapped in the aragonite structure. Eventually, in the presence of water, 

 these peptide bonds are broken, leaving only free amino acids in the shell. 



Amino acid content of M. meroenaria in uM/gram 

 Age 



Recent 



Pleistocene 



Miocene 



Protein 

 bound 



33.0 

 2.1 

 



Soluble protein 

 or peptide 



1.50 

 2.25 

 



Free 



0.35 

 1.00 

 0.75 



- J.L.M. 



2081 



Andrews, Jay D. 



1980. 



A review of introductions of exotic oysters and biological planning for new 

 importations. Mar. Fish. Rev. 42(12): 1-11. 



Meroenaria meroenaria was imported early to the west coast, along with Mya 

 arenaria and Crassostrea virginioa. Although Mya arenaria was successful, 

 the oyster and hard clam were not, which necessitated continued importations 

 to produce crops. M< arenaria was able to breed at low temps but the other 

 two were not. They can be reared on the west coast if hatchery seed is used. 



- J.L.M. 



2082 



Anonymous 



1980. 



Poaching fine hikes cut contaminated clam catch. Natl. Fisherman 61(4): 60. 



A clam poacher can easily make $200 to $300 a night by clamming in illegal 

 waters. If caught, he probably would receive only a $25 to $50 fine. The 

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing legis- 

 lation which would provide a maximum $1,500 fine and impound clam poachers 

 boats to use them as evidence. The minimum fine would be $500 and a second 

 offense might cost $1,000. - J.L.M. 



2083 



Arimoto, Richard, and M. R. Tripp. 1977. 



Characterization of a bacterial agglutinin in the hemolymph of the hard clam, 

 Meroenaria meroenaria. J. Invert. Pathol. 30(3): 406-413. 



Hemolymph of the hard clam was found to agglutinate nonspecif ically 4 of 30 

 bacteria tested and a marine alga. The agglutinin is a protein (or a con- 

 jugated protein) because it is: 1) precipitated by trichloracetic acid and 



578 



