Digestive solution removes excess algae: giant clam

Giant clams can digest some of the algae they host, if they become too abundant, by manipulating the makeup of their internal fluid.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Break down >
	Chemically break down >
	Other organic compounds

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Mimicking mechanism for digesting algae, mimicking mechanism that senses algal levels.

[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The giant clam also keeps algae within its body. They are not imprisoned within its cells but held in a space directly beneath the outer skin of its mantle which is exposed to light whenever the two outer halves of the clam shell gape open. In some the mantle is purple, in others a vivid green, but always there are lines of bright spots along it. These are specially transparent patches that act like lenses, focusing light on the colonies of algae directly beneath. If the algae become too abundant, the clam thins them out by changing the constitutents of its internal fluids and digesting some of them." (Attenborough 1995:203)

About the inspiring organism

Veneroida
Veneroida

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Mimicking mechanism for digesting algae, mimicking mechanism that senses algal levels.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Pollution control, remediation

References

Attenborough, D. 1995. The Private Life of Plants: A Natural History of Plant Behavior. London: BBC Books. 320 p.

Digestive solution removes excess algae: giant clam

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