SOME ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF CLAMS (Aspatharia Spp) in ZARIA

SOME ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF CLAMS (Aspatharia Spp) in ZARIA

Abstract:

Some physical parameters and nutritive value of clams, Aspatharia species, of the Galma River in Zaria. Kaduna State have been studied. The physical parameters studied include whole weight of the clam, the length, width and depth of the shell which are indices of size and growth of the clams. The mean weight of the Galma clams used in this research was 14,282 grams, mean length, 5.9633 cm; mean width 3.533 cm; and mean depth, 2.4033 cm. There was a high correlation between the clams weight and length (r = 0.9274), width (r = 0.6860), depth (r = 0.73770, volume (r = 0.9475), fresh shell (r = 0.9968), fresh flesh (r = 0.9126). However there was no correlation between the clams weight and ‘K’ factor and density. The mean protein value from proximate analysis was 32.7806 percent, mean lipid value was 6.42 per cent, mean value of carbohydrate was 50.31 percent, mean ash value was 7.85 percent. The mean value of organic matter was 97.90 percent while the energy va1ues of the c1am f1esh per each nutrient were 180.93, 60.99 and 217.054 kcal/qm for Protein Lipid and carbohydrate respective1y. The shell constituted the largest portion of the who1e ca1m with a mean of 70.907 percent.

SOME ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF CLAMS (Aspatharia Spp) in ZARIA