Corbicula

Corbicula clams are remarkably proficient invasive species, with native ranges spanning from Australia to Africa, but can now be found in most other continents[4][5]. In North America, Corbicula may have initially invaded as a human food source[6], though the origin of invasion in other continents has not been determined[7]. However, genotyping may aid in tracking the number of introductions occurring in non-native habitats[8].

Part of what contributes to its invasive success is its androgenic reproductive strategy, wherein a single individual may be capable of creating an entire population[4], but beyond androgenesis Corbicula owe their invasive potential to anthropogenic factors and their life history strategies[9][5]. Corbicula have high reproductive capacities[10], which may be in part due to their ability to self-fertilize[4], with larvae that are noted for their high dispersal potential[5]. Corbicula are also phenotypically plastic[11][4], and can also occur at high densities, which may cause them to outcompete native mussels[12] and increased mortality of native mussel glochidia[11], respectively. Their high competitive ability is of concern, in part due to the already endangered status of many of the world’s mussel species[13][14].

Though Corbicula are proficient competitors, they have a small number of lineages[15], and have worldwide low genetic diversity, which is attributed to their reproductive capabilities[16]. While this generally does not contribute to their success, phenotypic plasticity may buffer them from the effects of low genetic diversity[4], though it is suggested that bottlenecks may have occurred during their invasions[4][16][17]. Despite poor genetic diversity suggesting control may be easy, there is a need for better control methods[18], as active spread has occurred[19][20]. While some eradication methods work, such as deposition of dry ice pellets[21], the use of a heat torch[22], and temperature shock[23], preventative measures are of utmost importance as invasives are often difficult to detect prior to establishment[18].

Extant species within the genus Corbicula include:[2]

• Bogan, A., Bouchet, P. (1998). Cementation in the freshwater bivalve family Corbiculidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia): a new genus and species from Lake Poso, Indonesia. Hydrobiologia, 389: 131-139
• Suzuki, K.; Oyama, K. (1943). Überblick über die Corbiculiden Ostasiens (Materialien zur Monographic der Ostasiatischen Corbiculiden 1). Venus. 12(3-4): 138–149.
• Ota, Y. [Ohta, Y.]. (1970). A review of some Cretaceous corbiculids in North America. Transactions and Proceedings of the Palaeontological Society of Japan, new series. 79: 291–315.

• Alexei V. Korniushin, Matthias Glaubrecht (2003) Novel reproductive modes in freshwater clams: brooding and larval morphology in Southeast Asian taxa of Corbicula (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Corbiculidae) Acta Zoologica 84 (4), 293–315. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-6395.2003.00150.x
• (Redescription) Coan, E. V.; Valentich-Scott, P. (2012). Bivalve seashells of tropical West America. Marine bivalve mollusks from Baja California to northern Peru. 2 vols, 1258 pp.

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• von Mühlfeld J.C. (1811). Entwurf eines neuen Systems der Schaltiergehäuse. Magazin für die neuesten Entdecklungen in der gesammten Naturkunde von der Gesellschaft Naturforschaft Freunde zu Berlin. 5(1): 38-72, plate 3
• Dall, W. H. (1903). Review of the classification of the Cyrenacea. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 16: 5-8.
• Lindholm W.A. (1933). Eine verschollene Muschel aus Zentralasien. Archiv für Molluskenkunde. 65: 264–268
• Sandberger, C.L.F. (1870-1875). Die Land- und Süßwasser-Conchylien der Vorwelt. C. W. Kreidel, Wiesbaden.