“May represent one of the earliest examples of the over-exploitation of marine organisms by humans.”

A new species of giant clam has been discovered in the Red Sea.

Fossils suggest that, about 125,000 years ago, the species Tridacna costata accounted for more than 80% of the area’s giant clams.

The species may now be critically endangered, researchers report in Current Biology journal.

The scientists believe their findings may represent one of the earliest examples of the over-exploitation of marine organisms by humans.

… The research team uncovered well-preserved fossil evidence that suggested stocks of these giant clams plummeted some 125,000 years ago — during an interval between Ice Ages.

They believe this period coincides with the appearance of modern humans in the Red Sea area.

Giant clams were abundant, large in size and easily accessible — making them an attractive food source for hunter-gatherers.

In “pre-human times”, T. costata may have been up to 60cm long. Since then, shell size has also decreased dramatically.

“The overall decline in giant clam stocks — with the striking loss of large specimens — is a smoking gun indicating over-harvesting,” said Dr Richter.

- Elizabeth Mitchell @ BBC News.

See also:

• “New Giant Clam Found; May Have Fed Early Humans” @ National Geographic.
• “Giant clam was first victim of mankind’s overfishing” @ Green Central.

~ Karl Jones

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