2166 



Mann, Roger. 1978. 



A comparison of morphometries, biochemical, and physiological indexes of 

 condition in marine bivalve molluscs. In Energy and Environmental Stress 

 in Aquatic Systems. James H. Thorp and J. Whitfield Gibbons (eds.) . Tech. 

 Info. Center, U.S. Dept. Energy, DOE Symp. Series 48, Conf. 771114: 484-497. 



Ansell (1965) concluded that if only length is known for Venus (Meroenaria) 

 meroenaria the only transformations that can be made accurately are estimates 

 of total weight, total volume, and shell-cavity volume. Thus, total body 

 nitrogen and carbohydrate levels could not be estimated from length data 

 because changes take place related to the gametogenic cycle. - J.L.M. 



2167 



Marsh, Mary, Gary Hamilton, and Ronald Sass. 1978. 



The crystal sheaths from bivalve hinge ligaments. Calcified Tissue Research 

 25 (1) : 45-51. 



Aragonite crystals in the molluscan bivalve hinge ligament are surrounded 

 by an organic sheath which is distinct from the remainder of the ligament 

 matrix. These sheathed crystals were isolated from the ligament of Mer- 

 oenaria meroenaria and surf clam by papain digestion of the matrix protein. 

 Sheathed crystals from Meroenaria had a CaC0 3 /protein ratio of 29.6. Sheath 

 proteins showed much smaller proportions of the amino acids glycine and 

 methionine than hinge ligaments. These are characteristic amino acids of 

 high concentration in hinge ligaments. Concentrations of acidic and basic 

 amino acids were increased about two fold in sheaths over those of ligaments. 

 Otherwise there was little similarity in amino acid content of sheaths in 

 the two species. SDS electrophoresis showed the sheaths of both to contain 

 a major protein component with a molecular weight of about 25,000. The 

 sheath protein from Meroenaria ligament contained about 5% carbohydrate, 

 and Spisula sheath less than 1% carbohydrate. - modified authors' summary 

 - J.L.M. 



2168 



Maurer, Don. 1977. 



Estuarine benthic invertebrates of Indian River and Rehoboth Bays, Delaware. 

 Int. Revue Ges. Hydrobiol. 62(5): 591-629. 



Based on 273 quantitative samples collected in the summer and winter of 

 1968 and 1969, an estuarine benthic invertebrate community consisting of 

 11 phyla and 149 species and dominated by Ampelisoa abdita, Gemma gemma, 

 Tellina agilis, and Meroenaria meroenaria was described from Rehoboth and 

 Indian River Bays, Delaware. Exclusive of the top species, annual and sea- 

 sonal changes in density and frequency of occurrence were substantial. 

 Comparison of species composition, density, dominance, and biomass with 

 other areas showed that these bays were very similar to shallow bays through- 

 out the Middle Atlantic and southern New England areas. - from author's 

 summary - J.L.M. 



2169 



McHugh, J. L. 1980. 



Coastal fisheries. In Fisheries Management. Robert T. Lackey and Larry 

 A. Nielsen (eds.). John Wiley & Sons, New York: 323-346. 



Hard clam (Meroenaria meroenaria) landings in the United States peaked at 

 21.0 million pounds in 19 50. The species was once most important in Rhode 

 Island, now New York and New Jersey produce most of them, and New York is 

 the principal producer. The total harvest has declined to about three- 

 quarters of its level in the 19 50s and is remaining remarkably steady since 

 that time. This has occurred despite continued closure of beds because 

 waters are becoming more polluted. In fact, there may be some merit in 

 pollution if certain precautions are adequate because that maintains a 

 reserve of clams that can be transplanted to clean waters for harvest later. 



603 



