[Coral-List] New paper on giant clams - A comprehensive review

[Neo Mei Lin]

   Dear Coral-Listers,
   I like to bring your attention to our recently published work:
   [1]Neo,  ML,  CCC  Wabnitz,  RD Braley, GA Heslinga, C Fauvelot, S Van
   Wynsberge, S Andréfouët, C Waters, AS-H Tan, ED Gomez, MJ Costello & PA Todd
   (2017)  Chapter  4.  Giant clams (Bivalvia: Cardiidae: Tridacninae): A
   comprehensive update of species and their distribution, current threats and
   conservation status. [2]Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review,
   Volume 55. Pp. 87-388.
   It    is    OPEN    ACCESS    and    can   be   downloaded   at   this
   link: [3]https://www.routledge..com/Oceanography-and-Marine-Biology-An-Annua
   l-Review-Volume-55/Hawkins-Evans-Dale-Firth-Hughes-Smith/p/book/978113819786
   2
   Here is the Abstract:
   Giant clams, the largest living bivalves, play important ecological roles in
   coral reef ecosystems and provide a source of nutrition and income for
   coastal communities; however, all species are under threat and intervention
   is   required.   Here,   we  re-examine  and  update  their  taxonomy,
   distribution, abundance and conservation status as a contribution to the
   protection, rebuilding and management of declining populations. Since the
   first comprehensive review of the Tridacnidae by Rosewater

   (1965), the taxonomy and phylogeny of giant clams have evolved, with three
   new  species  descriptions and rediscoveries since 1982 represented by
   Tridacna squamosina (formerly known as T. costata), T. noae and T. lorenzi.
   Giant  clams are distributed along shallow coasts and coral reefs from
   South Africa to the Pitcairn Islands (32E to 128W), and from southern Japan
   to  Western  Australia (24N to 15S). Geographic distribution of the 12
   currently recognized species is not even across the 66 localities we review
   here. Tridacna maxima and T. squamosa  are the most widespread, followed by
   the intermediate-range species, T. gigas, T. derasa, T. noae, T. crocea and
   Hippopus hippopus, and the restricted-range species, Tridacna lorenzi, T.
   mbalavuana, T. squamosina, T. rosewateri and Hippopus porcellanus. The
   larger species, Tridacna gigas and T. derasa are the most endangered, with
   >50% of wild populations either locally extinct or severely depleted. The
   smaller  and boring  species, such as T. maxima  and T. crocea, remain
   relatively abundant despite ongoing fishing activities. Population density
   also  varies  across  localities.  Areas  with  the  lowest  densities
   generally correspond  with  evidence  of  high historical exploitation
   intensity, while areas with the highest densities tend to be within marine
   reserves, remote from human populations or have low historical fishing
   pressures. Exploitation continues to be the main threat and conservation
   challenge for giant clams. Harvesting for subsistence use or local sale
   remains  an  important  artisanal fishery in many localities; however,
   increased commercial demand as well as advances in fishing, transport and
   storage practices, are in large part responsible for the ongoing loss of
   wild populations. Habitat loss and a suite of other anthropogenic stressors,
   including climate change, are potentially accelerating stock depletions.
   Despite these challenges, global efforts to protect giant clams have gained
   momentum. CITES Appendix II listings and IUCN conservation categories have
   raised awareness of the threats to giant clams and have contributed to
   stemming their decline. The continued development of mariculture techniques
   may  also  help  improve stock numbers and lend populations additional
   resilience. However, more effective implementation of conservation measures
   and enforcement of national and international regulations are needed. It is
   clear that active management is necessary to prevent the extinction of giant
   clam  species  as  they continue to face threats associated with human
   behaviours.
   Thank you for your kind attention! We hope that it will serve as a baseline
   for your work on marine biodiversity in the tropics, and I'm happy to speak
   to people interested in the giant clams!
   Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
   Regards,
   Mei Lin

   NEO Mei Lin (Dr) :: Research Fellow :: St John's Island National Marine
   Laboratory :: c/o Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) :: National
   University  of  Singapore  :: 18  Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119227 ::
   65-98233301 (DID) :: [4]tmsnml at nus..edu.sg (E) :: sjinml.nus.edu.sg (W)
   :: Company Registration No: 200604346E

   Watch my TED Talk on [5]The fascinating secret lives of the giant clams. 

   Read my blog at [6]https://meilin5giantclam.wordpress.com/

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     _________________________________________________________________

   Important: This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not
   the intended recipient, please delete it and notify us immediately; you
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References

   1. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/tandfbis/rt-files/docs/Open+Access+Chapters/9781138197862_oachapter4.pdf
   2. https://www.routledge..com/Oceanography-and-Marine-Biology-An-Annual-Review-Volume-55/Hawkins-Evans-Dale-Firth-Hughes-Smith/p/book/9781138197862
   3. https://www.routledge.com/Oceanography-and-Marine-Biology-An-Annual-Review-Volume-55/Hawkins-Evans-Dale-Firth-Hughes-Smith/p/book/9781138197862
   4. mailto:tmsteolm at nus.edu.sg
   5. https://www.ted.com/talks/mei_lin_neo_the_fascinating_secret_lives_of_giant_clams
   6. https://meilin5giantclam.wordpress.com/