corbiculae

Corbiculae refers to the members of the genus Corbicula, a group of freshwater clams in the family Corbiculidae. They are commonly known as Asian clams. These bivalves are generally small to medium-sized, with rounded-oval shells that are typically brown, greenish, or yellowish, and marked by concentric growth lines. They are benthic filter feeders that burrow partially in soft sediments and use byssal threads to anchor themselves.

Native to East and Southeast Asia, Corbicula species have been widely introduced to Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania through ballast water, aquaculture, and human transport. The best-known species is Corbicula fluminea, the Asian clam, which has become a pervasive invasive in many freshwater systems.

In introduced regions, Corbiculae can form dense populations that filter large volumes of water, influencing nutrient dynamics, water clarity, and plankton communities. They may compete with native bivalves for space and food, and their dense beds can impact irrigation and industrial intakes by clogging screens.

Reproduction in Corbicula is rapid and diverse; many populations reproduce prolifically, and some lineages show androgenesis, enabling clonal spread. They tolerate a broad range of temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels, contributing to their invasive success.

Taxonomically, Corbicula is placed in the family Corbiculidae, order Veneroida, class Bivalvia.