O venerable quahog

A clam dredged up off the coast of Iceland is thought to have been the longest-lived animal discovered.

Scientists said the mollusc, an ocean quahog clam, was aged between 405 and 410 years and could offer insights into the secrets of longevity.

Researchers from Bangor University in north Wales said they calculated its age by counting rings on its shell.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest-lived animal was a clam found in 1982 aged 220.

Unofficially, another clam - found in an Icelandic museum - was discovered to be 374-years-old, Bangor University said, making their clam at least 31 years older.

From the BBC. More on ocean quahogs here:

Growth of ocean quahogs is fairly rapid during the first 20 years of life but lessens greatly thereafter (Murawski et al. 1982). Ocean quahogs of about 100 years and older are common; a maximum shell length of 140 mm (5.5 inches) and a maximum longevity estimate of 225 years have been reported (Ropes 1985).

On quahogs as food, more here and here. Not to be confused, note, with coastal quahogs, Rhode Island favorites.

Posted by David on October 29, 2007 8:08 AM