ttuatua
ttuatua is a spelling variant of the Māori word tuatua, which refers to an edible saltwater clam native to New Zealand. The form ttuatua is uncommon and generally considered a misspelling or dialectal variant rather than a separate term. In most contexts, tuatua refers to Paphies subtriangulata, a small to medium-sized bivalve in the family Mesodesmatidae, though related Paphies species are sometimes included under the same common name.
Tuatuas have elongated, oval shells up to about 3–4 cm long, with smooth surfaces that are pale
Distribution and habitat: Tuatua are native to the coastal waters of New Zealand and are most common
Human use and management: Tuatua have long been a staple food for Māori and later for others