So, this is the first strange animal I am sharing in 2024...and it's a clam!
But what can be so interesting about a boring looking clam?
Well, in this one the real magic happens when it opens! Meet the disco clam:
Scientifically described as Ctenoides ales, this is a species of saltwater clam best known for its soft tissius that light like a disco ball! Not surprisingly, some of its common names are electric flame scallop, disco scallop, electric clam and disco clam.
Where does it live?
The species is found throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region from Indonesia to Palau Islands and New-Caledonia, usually at depths greater than 40 m. That's 131 feet for the mentally metric system challenged. But it may occur in swallow waters of up to 3 m deep.
What's the deal with the disco lights
When I first saw the animal in a video I thought it was some short of bioluminescence or maybe electricity?!
Well, contrary to what the common name suggests, it's something much simpler. Research has shown the light is just a reflection of ambient light!
The clams have a highly reflective tissue on the very outer edge of their mantle that is exposed and then hidden very quickly, so the change back and forth from the white reflective tissue to the red tissue creates the appearance of flashing source
Optical modeling suggested that the sphere’s diameter is nearly optimal for scattering light, especially at shorter wavelengths, which predominate in the ocean. This simple mechanism produces a striking optical effect. source
The brightly reflective edge of the mantle of these clams contains nano-spheres made of silica, which are very reflective and produce this effect.
So tldr, just a fancy reflection of the sunlight or a diver's flashlight!
As to why, it's hypothesized that it is some form of mechanism that deters predation, but that's only a good guess!
What does it eat
This is a filter feeder species which means it just eat floating plankton that has the bad luck to float by it!
It's so cool, I want one
Well, turns out you can actually buy one 😄 While reading on the creature I stumbled upon this site that sells them for the price of £18.
If I was into aquariums and shit I'd definitely get one. It just is so fancy!
More Videos
Ok, here are some more cool videos of the creature for your viewing pleasure:
Just put the name of the species, there are plenty more to watch!
References & Further Reading
Ok friends, hope you enjoyed reading about yet another strange animal! Here are some links if you want to do some more reading on this wonder of nature:
- Wikipedia
- Disco Scallops Know How to Boogie Even if They Aren’t Scallops
- Flashing in the 'Disco' Clam Ctenoides ales (Finlay, 1927): Mechanisms and Behavioral Function
P.S. Tagging @enginewitty cause I know he loves this shit 😂
More Strange Animal Stuff
If you enjoyed this post here are some more amazing creatures I have recently blogged about:
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