Roper clam - Revision history

Clé: Fixed a typo and a bad link, and added a few more links.

2024-04-02T05:57:45Z

Fixed a typo and a bad link, and added a few more links.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:57, 2 April 2024
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	\| taxon = Linguifer magnus		\| taxon = Linguifer magnus
	}}		}}
	A denizen of the [[oceans of Dadauar]], the '''roper clam''' is not intentionally hostile to [[human (Dadauar)\|human]]s, but has led to many [[death]]s nonetheless. Roper clams are enormous [[clam]]s, varying widely in size but reaching up to three [[~~meters~~]] in [[diameter]] in extreme cases, that hunt prey with their long "[[tongue]]s", long, sticky extensions of their [[foot (mollusc)\|feet]] that they can whip out with extreme rapidity and accuracy. The tongues wrap around their targets, holding them fast both by their gluey secretions and by the strength of their grip. Once a victim is caught, the clam pulls it in toward its [[mouth]].		A denizen of the [[oceans of Dadauar]], the '''roper clam''' is not intentionally hostile to [[human (Dadauar)\|human]]s, but has led to many [[death]]s nonetheless. Roper clams are enormous [[clam]]s, varying widely in size but reaching up to three [[meter]]s in [[diameter]] in extreme cases, that hunt prey with their long "[[tongue]]s", long, sticky extensions of their [[foot (mollusc)\|feet]] that they can whip out with extreme rapidity and accuracy. The tongues wrap around their targets, holding them fast both by their gluey secretions and by the strength of their grip. Once a victim is caught, the clam pulls it in toward its [[mouth]].

	==Anatomy==		==Anatomy==
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	The shells of roper clams have pronounced plications, with six deep folds running from the [[umbo]] to the outer margin and giving the shell's edges an undulous shape. This corrugation gives ropers an appearance much like the [[giant clam]]s of the [[genus]] ''[[Wikipedia:Tridacna\|Tridacna]]'', to which, however, they are not closely related, the similarity apparently being the result of [[convergent evolution]]. The base part of the shell is covered with a thick, fibrous, dark brown [[periostracum]] that gives it a [[fur]]ry appearance.		The shells of roper clams have pronounced plications, with six deep folds running from the [[umbo]] to the outer margin and giving the shell's edges an undulous shape. This corrugation gives ropers an appearance much like the [[giant clam]]s of the [[genus]] ''[[Wikipedia:Tridacna\|Tridacna]]'', to which, however, they are not closely related, the similarity apparently being the result of [[convergent evolution]]. The base part of the shell is covered with a thick, fibrous, dark brown [[periostracum]] that gives it a [[fur]]ry appearance.

	The inside of the roper clam is vividly ~~colored~~, although the exact colors differ by population. Some are light [[blue]]; others vivid [[violet]] with [[yellow]] or blue spots; others orange with red striations; still others marbled royal blue and [[green]]. Many [[malacologist]]s opine that the different colors mark distinct [[subspecies]] of clam, though others disagree. (There are minor differences between these clam populations besides the color, but none significant enough to unambiguously mark them as separate subspecies.) Those who do hold this view place the blue clams in the subspecies ''Linguifer magnus nubium'' (the "northern roper"), the violet and blue ''L. m. ianthinus'' (the "purple roper"), the violet and yellow ''L. m. perspicax'' (the "~~starry~~ roper"), the red and orange ''L. m. carnatus'' (the "tomato roper"), and the blue and green ''L. m. caeruleus'' (the "smooth roper").		The inside of the roper clam is vividly [[color]]ed, although the exact colors differ by population. Some are light [[blue]]; others vivid [[violet]] with [[yellow]] or blue spots; others [[orange]] with [[red]] striations; still others marbled royal blue and [[green]]. Many [[malacologist]]s opine that the different colors mark distinct [[subspecies]] of clam, though others disagree. (There are minor differences between these clam populations besides the color, but none significant enough to unambiguously mark them as separate subspecies.) Those who do hold this view place the blue clams in the subspecies ''Linguifer magnus nubium'' (the "northern roper"), the violet and blue ''L. m. ianthinus'' (the "purple roper"), the violet and yellow ''L. m. perspicax'' (the "[[star]]ry roper"), the red and orange ''L. m. carnatus'' (the "[[tomato]] roper"), and the blue and green ''L. m. caeruleus'' (the "smooth roper").

	==Reproduction==		==Reproduction==
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	Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].		Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].

	Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[~~Dioflagellate~~]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].		Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[Dinoflagellate]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].

	==Danger to humans==		==Danger to humans==

Tada: Undo revision 3360 by Tada (talk)

2024-04-02T05:50:32Z

Undo revision 3360 by Tada (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:50, 2 April 2024
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	Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].		Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].

	Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[~~Dinoflagellate~~]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].		Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[Dioflagellate]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].

	==Danger to humans==		==Danger to humans==

Tada: Undo revision 3359 by Tada (talk)

2024-04-02T05:50:15Z

Undo revision 3359 by Tada (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:50, 2 April 2024
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	Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].		Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].

	Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[~~Dioflagellate~~]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].		Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[Dinoflagellate]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].

	==Danger to humans==		==Danger to humans==

Tada: Reverted edits by Tada (talk) to last revision by Clé

2024-04-02T05:49:13Z

Reverted edits by Tada (talk) to last revision by Clé

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:49, 2 April 2024
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	Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].		Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].

	Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[~~Dinoflagellate~~]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].		Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[Dioflagellate]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].

	==Danger to humans==		==Danger to humans==

Tada: Whoops... fixed typo.

2024-04-02T05:45:15Z

Whoops... fixed typo.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:45, 2 April 2024
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	Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].		Only a very few creatures, such as the [[xastre]], are known to feed on adult ropers. Roper larvæ, however, are in an entirely different situation; while there are no known [[organism]]s that are adapted to feed on roper larvæ exclusively, their small size and free-floating nature makes them prey for all manner of [[planktonivory\|planktonivore]].

	Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[~~Dioflagellate~~]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].		Roper clams are also subject to certain specialized [[parasite]]s. The [[clam louse]] is a type of parasitic [[copepod]] that attaches itself to the roper's mantle and feeds on its hemolymph and [[mucus]]. [[Dinoflagellate]]s of the genus ''[[Verrucifex]]'' live within the [[hemolymph]] of infected clams, and cause them to develop whitish pustules on their mantles. ''[[Cryptocreion mastigosimus]]'' is an unusual, highly modified [[horseshoe worm]] that has adapted to an [[endoparasite\|endoparasitic]] lifestyle and resides in the roper clam's [[digestive tract]].

	==Danger to humans==		==Danger to humans==

Clé: Corrected minor grammatical error

2023-10-20T16:34:08Z

Corrected minor grammatical error

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:34, 20 October 2023
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	==Reproduction==		==Reproduction==
	Like most [[bivalve]]s, roper clams are [[di&oelig;cism\|di&oelig;cious]], requiring a [[male]] and a [[female]] to [[reproduction\|reproduce]]. [[Fertilization]] is [[external fertilization\|external]]; the female clam releases a few thousand [[egg]]s into the surrounding [[water]], and the male releases the [[sperm]]. Over a few days, the eggs develop into tiny [[cilium\|ciliated]] [[plankton]]ic [[larva\|larvæ]] called [[trochophore]]s, which over another few days ~~grows a~~ rudimentary ~~shell~~, [[metamorphosis\|metamorphosing]] into another stage called a [[veliger]]. After settling onto the [[sea floor]], the veliger takes on its final, [[benthos\|benthic]] form, now a smaller version of the adult clam called a [[spat]]. Roper clams grow quickly, and it takes only a few [[year]]s for the spat to reach maturity and to be itself capable of reproduction. A newly mature roper is just under a meter in diameter, but ropers continue growing after reaching maturity, and can grow much larger if they live long enough.		Like most [[bivalve]]s, roper clams are [[di&oelig;cism\|di&oelig;cious]], requiring a [[male]] and a [[female]] to [[reproduction\|reproduce]]. [[Fertilization]] is [[external fertilization\|external]]; the female clam releases a few thousand [[egg]]s into the surrounding [[water]], and the male releases the [[sperm]]. Over a few days, the eggs develop into tiny [[cilium\|ciliated]] [[plankton]]ic [[larva\|larvæ]] called [[trochophore]]s, which over another few days grow rudimentary shells, [[metamorphosis\|metamorphosing]] into another stage called a [[veliger]]. After settling onto the [[sea floor]], the veliger takes on its final, [[benthos\|benthic]] form, now a smaller version of the adult clam called a [[spat]]. Roper clams grow quickly, and it takes only a few [[year]]s for the spat to reach maturity and to be itself capable of reproduction. A newly mature roper is just under a meter in diameter, but ropers continue growing after reaching maturity, and can grow much larger if they live long enough.

	Few roper larvæ survive to become mature clams. Perhaps one tenth of a [[percent]] actually live long enough to find a place on the seafloor. Even then, the small spats have a difficult time both finding enough to eat and avoiding [[predator]]s set on eating them, and less than one spat in a hundred survives to attain sexual maturity. The [[mortality rate]]s of mature clams, however, are much lower. Once a clam reaches a meter or two in diameter, there are few predators capable of breaking through its hard shell.		Few roper larvæ survive to become mature clams. Perhaps one tenth of a [[percent]] actually live long enough to find a place on the seafloor. Even then, the small spats have a difficult time both finding enough to eat and avoiding [[predator]]s set on eating them, and less than one spat in a hundred survives to attain sexual maturity. The [[mortality rate]]s of mature clams, however, are much lower. Once a clam reaches a meter or two in diameter, there are few predators capable of breaking through its hard shell.

Clé: Corrected minor grammatical error

2023-10-20T16:31:08Z

Corrected minor grammatical error

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:31, 20 October 2023
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	The other unique feature of the roper clam is of course its "tongue", the appendage it uses to capture prey. Despite the name, the tongue is not located in the roper clam's mouth, and is no way [[homology (etory)\|homologous]] to the tongue of a [[tetrapod]]. Rather, the roper clam's tongue is a part of its foot, a long [[tentacle]] covered with gluey slime. The roper has considerable dexterity with its tongue, and moreover is able to shoot it out at remarkable speeds, using a complex mechanism of [[muscle\|muscular]] "[[spring (device)\|spring]]s". Even after the tongue reaches its full extension, the clam can curl the end, and generally coils it about its prey to better hold it fast. The clam then pulls the prey in and transfers it into its mouth.		The other unique feature of the roper clam is of course its "tongue", the appendage it uses to capture prey. Despite the name, the tongue is not located in the roper clam's mouth, and is no way [[homology (etory)\|homologous]] to the tongue of a [[tetrapod]]. Rather, the roper clam's tongue is a part of its foot, a long [[tentacle]] covered with gluey slime. The roper has considerable dexterity with its tongue, and moreover is able to shoot it out at remarkable speeds, using a complex mechanism of [[muscle\|muscular]] "[[spring (device)\|spring]]s". Even after the tongue reaches its full extension, the clam can curl the end, and generally coils it about its prey to better hold it fast. The clam then pulls the prey in and transfers it into its mouth.

	Roper clams have both [[compound eye]]s and [[pit eye]]s spaced around the margin of the mantle. While these eyes do not have an especially high resolution, they are sufficient to at least give the roper clam some notion of its surroundings, and to see potential prey at a distance.		Roper clams have both [[compound eye]]s and [[pit eye]]s spaced around the margin of the mantle. While these eyes do not have an especially high resolution, they are sufficient to at least give the roper clam some notion of its surroundings, and to let it see potential prey at a distance.

	==Distribution==		==Distribution==

Clé: Corrected minor grammatical error

2023-10-20T16:29:15Z

Corrected minor grammatical error

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:29, 20 October 2023
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	Like most [[bivalve]]s, roper clams are [[di&oelig;cism\|di&oelig;cious]], requiring a [[male]] and a [[female]] to [[reproduction\|reproduce]]. [[Fertilization]] is [[external fertilization\|external]]; the female clam releases a few thousand [[egg]]s into the surrounding [[water]], and the male releases the [[sperm]]. Over a few days, the eggs develop into tiny [[cilium\|ciliated]] [[plankton]]ic [[larva\|larvæ]] called [[trochophore]]s, which over another few days grows a rudimentary shell, [[metamorphosis\|metamorphosing]] into another stage called a [[veliger]]. After settling onto the [[sea floor]], the veliger takes on its final, [[benthos\|benthic]] form, now a smaller version of the adult clam called a [[spat]]. Roper clams grow quickly, and it takes only a few [[year]]s for the spat to reach maturity and to be itself capable of reproduction. A newly mature roper is just under a meter in diameter, but ropers continue growing after reaching maturity, and can grow much larger if they live long enough.		Like most [[bivalve]]s, roper clams are [[di&oelig;cism\|di&oelig;cious]], requiring a [[male]] and a [[female]] to [[reproduction\|reproduce]]. [[Fertilization]] is [[external fertilization\|external]]; the female clam releases a few thousand [[egg]]s into the surrounding [[water]], and the male releases the [[sperm]]. Over a few days, the eggs develop into tiny [[cilium\|ciliated]] [[plankton]]ic [[larva\|larvæ]] called [[trochophore]]s, which over another few days grows a rudimentary shell, [[metamorphosis\|metamorphosing]] into another stage called a [[veliger]]. After settling onto the [[sea floor]], the veliger takes on its final, [[benthos\|benthic]] form, now a smaller version of the adult clam called a [[spat]]. Roper clams grow quickly, and it takes only a few [[year]]s for the spat to reach maturity and to be itself capable of reproduction. A newly mature roper is just under a meter in diameter, but ropers continue growing after reaching maturity, and can grow much larger if they live long enough.

	Few roper larvæ survive to become mature clams. Perhaps one tenth of a [[percent]] actually live long enough to find a place on the seafloor. Even then, the small spats have a difficult time both finding enough to eat and avoiding [[predator]]s set on eating them, and less than one ~~spats~~ in a hundred survives to attain sexual maturity. The [[mortality rate]]s of mature clams, however, are much lower. Once a clam reaches a meter or two in diameter, there are few predators capable of breaking through its hard shell.		Few roper larvæ survive to become mature clams. Perhaps one tenth of a [[percent]] actually live long enough to find a place on the seafloor. Even then, the small spats have a difficult time both finding enough to eat and avoiding [[predator]]s set on eating them, and less than one spat in a hundred survives to attain sexual maturity. The [[mortality rate]]s of mature clams, however, are much lower. Once a clam reaches a meter or two in diameter, there are few predators capable of breaking through its hard shell.

	==Ecology==		==Ecology==

Clé: Major overhaul and expansion of the article

2023-09-10T01:48:25Z

Major overhaul and expansion of the article

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-A denizen of the oceans of [[Dadauar]], the '''angler clam''' is not intentionally hostile to humans, but has led to many deaths nonetheless.  Angler clams are giant clams, varying widely in size but reaching up to three meters in diameter in extreme cases, that hunt prey with their long "tongues", long, sticky extensions of their feet that they can whip out with extreme rapidity and accuracy.  The tongues sometimes wrap around their targets, holding them fast both by their gluey secretions and by the strength of their grip.  Once a victim is caught, the clam pulls it in toward its mouth.
+{{Automatic taxobox
-The angler clam's intended prey is small fish, and occasionally crustaceans.  An unintelligent creature, however, it tends to lash out at anything nearby making similar motions, and may grab a human or other intelligent creature by accident.  Humans are in no danger of being eaten by the clams--only the largest clams could fit an adult human inside their shells, and even they couldn't actually get them into their mouths--but may be in danger of drowning.  After some time of trying and failing to ingest a too-large captive, the clam will eventually give up and let go, but this may take fifteen minutes to half an hour, and by then it may be too late.
+==Anatomy==
-Escaping from an angler clam, once grabbed, is a difficult proposition, given the clams' strength and the stickiness of their tongues.  It's not impossible to break free, but it's beyond the capabilities of most humans.  If the victim has a sharp instrument--or can reach a nearby rock or piece of coral--cutting through the tongue may be an option.  An angler clam's severed tongue will grow back within about a week.
+The roper has an [[open circulatory system]]: a three-chambered [[heart]] located near the hinge pumps the [[hemolymph]] through the clam's body, but most of the fluid bathes the clam's organs directly rather than being contained in [[blood vessel|vessel]]s.  To [[respiration|breathe]], the roper clam takes in water through a tube called an incurrent siphon.  The water passes through a comb-like [[gill]] structure called a [[ctenidium]], where [[gas exchange]] takes place with the hemolymph, and then is expelled through the excurrent siphon back to the clam's surroundings.    The roper clam's [[central nervous system]] comprises three pairs of [[ganglion|ganglia]] distributed throughout its body.
-Angler clams are edible, and are considered something of a delicacy in the nations of [[Malchec]] and [[Niphachar]].[[Category:Oceanic life forms of Dadauar]][[Category:Molluscs]]
+Roper clams have two features that make them stand out strongly from other clams.  One is the clam's [[mouth]].  Most clams are [[filter feeding|filter feeders]], straining [[plankton]] and other food particles from the [[water]] with [[cilium|cilia]] on their [[gills]].  Their mouths are small holes, no bigger than they need to be to take in the tiny bits of food they ingest.  Roper clams consume much larger prey, and their mouths can expand accordingly, big enough in the largest specimens if not to swallow a human, then at least to swallow something the size of a [[cat]].  The [[labial palp]]s that in other clams sort the food and carry it toward the mouth have in the roper clams joined and adapted into a powerful [[sphincter]] that holds the mouth closed and prevents its prey from escaping.  Aside from the mouth, the rest of the roper's [[digestive system]] is similar to that of other clams: the mouth opens almost directly to the [[stomach]] where the prey is [[digestion|digested]], only a very short [[&oelig;sophagus]] in between.  From there, what's left of the food passes through the [[intestine]], where further digestion takes place, and waste is [[excretion|excreted]] through the [[anus]] into the excurrent siphon, where it is expelled along with the deoxygenated water.

Clé: Clé moved page Angler clam to Roper clam without leaving a redirect: Why in the world did I call these "angler clams"? What they're doing bears no resemblance to angling. (Yes, the text still uses the name "angler clam", but I'm working on a rewrite and expansion, so that'll be changed soon anyway; may as well move the page in the meantime.)

2023-09-05T03:07:29Z

Clé moved page Angler clam to Roper clam without leaving a redirect: Why in the world did I call these "angler clams"? What they're doing bears no resemblance to angling. (Yes, the text still uses the name "angler clam", but I'm working on a rewrite and expansion, so that'll be changed soon anyway; may as well move the page in the meantime.)

← Older revision	Revision as of 22:07, 4 September 2023
(No difference)