Tuatua

In this article we are going to explore in depth the topic of Tuatua, a topic that has been the subject of countless research and debates over the years. Tuatua is a topic that has captured the attention of people of all ages and backgrounds, and its importance extends to a variety of fields, from science and technology to politics and culture. Through this article, we will seek to shed light on the different aspects of Tuatua, analyzing its origins, its impact on society and its possible implications for the future. We hope this article serves as an informative and stimulating source for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating topic.

Tuatua
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Venerida
Superfamily: Mactroidea
Family: Mesodesmatidae
Genus: Paphies
Species:
P. subtriangulata
Binomial name
Paphies subtriangulata
(W. Wood, 1828)[1]
Synonyms
  • Erycina subangulata Gray, 1825
  • Mactra subtriangulata W. Wood, 1828
  • Mesodesma cuneata Hanley, 1842
  • Mesodesma reentsii Römer, 1862
  • Mesodesma spissa Reeve, 1854
  • Paphies porrecta (Marwick, 1928)[1]

Paphies subtriangulata is a species of edible bivalve clam known as tuatua in the Māori language, a member of the family Mesodesmatidae and endemic to New Zealand. It is found on all three of the main New Zealand islands, buried in fine clean sand on ocean beaches.

The large shell is asymmetrical, with the hinge at one side. Its closest relative, the pipi (Paphies australis), has a symmetrical shell. Due to their shell shape, and how they burrow underneath the sand, they can withstand the high-energy waves from the ocean. Using this knowledge, we can identify where they will adapt the most to, and this is the energetic oceanfront.

Clam digging for tuatua at Ōhope beach

The soft parts of the animal are an edible delicacy, made into fritters or boiled and served on the shell. Historically the species has been used as a food source by the Māori, and its shell is a common component of excavated Māori middens.

The clam burrows beneath the sand, and does so very quickly, making it a challenge to dig for at times. It also squirts water when threatened. All tuatua are protected with legal limits on their capture. In some areas one digger may bag no more than 50 to 150 tuatuas per day, depending on location.

Subspecies

Three subspecies have been recognised:

  • Paphies subtriangulata subtriangulata (Wood, 1828)
    Distribution: throughout North and South Islands
    Maximum length is 76 millimetres (3.0 in), height 48 millimetres (1.9 in), and thickness 28 millimetres (1.1 in).
  • Paphies subtriangulata porrecta (Marwick, 1928)
    Distribution: Chatham Islands
    Maximum length: 93 millimetres (3.7 in), maximum height: 57 millimetres (2.2 in).
  • Paphies subtriangulata quoyii (Deshayes, 1832)
    Distribution: throughout North and South Islands
    Size: Thicker relative to length - Maximum length is 86 millimetres (3.4 in), height 65 millimetres (2.6 in), and thickness 38 millimetres (1.5 in).

References

  1. ^ a b Huber, M. (2014). "Paphies subtriangulata (W. Wood, 1828)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 4 March 2014.