硬壳蛤(Mercenaria)原产地在美洲东海岸,是美国大西洋沿岸和滩涂的主要养殖贝类,营养和经济价值较高,贝壳可作为高级工艺品、装饰品的原料,从硬壳蛤中提取的蛤素能够抑制肿瘤的生长。硬壳蛤对低盐和高温的耐受力较强,为广温、广盐性贝类,生长速度较快,一年即可达到性成熟。对底质无特殊要求,在沙底、沙泥底、泥底和 Mercenaria is native to the east coast of the Americas and the main cultured shellfish on the American Atlantic coast and tidal flats. It has high nutritional and economic value. Shells can be used as raw materials for fine handicrafts and ornaments, extracted from hard clams Clams can inhibit tumor growth. Hard shell clam on low salt and high temperature tolerance is strong, wide temperature, wide salt shellfish, growing faster, one year to reach sexual maturity. No special requirements on the substrate, in the sand bottom, sand bottom, mud bottom and