Kingdom Animalia Order Veneroida Genus Paphies Higher classification Paphies | Phylum Mollusca Family Mesodesmatidae Scientific name Paphies subtriangulata Rank Species | |
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Lower classifications Paphies subtriangulata porrecta, Paphies subtriangulata quoyii, Paphies subtriangulata subtriangulata | ||
Paphies subtriangulata is a species of edible bivalve clam known as tuatua in the Māori language, a member of the family Mesodesmatidae and endemic to New Zealand. It is found on all three of the main New Zealand islands, buried in fine clean sand on ocean beaches.
The large shell is asymmetrical, with the hinge at one side. Its closest relative, the pipi (Paphies australis), has a symmetrical shell.
The soft parts of the animal are an edible delicacy, made into fritters or boiled and served on the shell. Historically the species has been used as a food source by the Māori, and its shell is a common component of excavated Māori middens.
The clam burrows beneath the sand, and does so very quickly, making it a challenge to dig for at times. It also squirts water when threatened. All tuatua are protected with legal limits on their capture. In some areas one digger may bag no more than 50 to 150 tuatuas per day, depending on location.
Subspecies
Three subspecies have been recognised:
Distribution: throughout North and South Islands
Maximum length is 76 millimetres (3.0 in), height 48 millimetres (1.9 in), and thickness 28 millimetres (1.1 in).
Distribution: Chatham Islands
Maximum length: 93 millimetres (3.7 in), maximum height: 57 millimetres (2.2 in).
Distribution: throughout North and South Islands
Size: Thicker relative to length - Maximum length is 86 millimetres (3.4 in), height 65 millimetres (2.6 in), and thickness 38 millimetres (1.5 in).