Bankia setacea

Shipworm:

Shipworm (Bankia setacea): This fascinating clam is part of the local and international folklore. Afflicted "Teredo wood" is milled in some places as decorative wood, and looking at its burrows makes one think of bailing out the bilge of some large, weathered wooden ship in the early 1800's. Large burrows generally indicate the presence of the shipworm, whereas small burrows (a millimeter or so in diameter) usually are a sign of infestation by the isopod known as a Gribble (Limnoria lignorum). In order to properly visualize the animal itself, think of an especially large, flaccid, transparent-white earthworm with two rows of blades attached to its head. Or just break up some Teredo wood until you see one for yourself, which is quite an experience.

Just to be clear, this is not the invasive species Teredo navalis.

Local Notes

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References

Weblinks

• WoRMS page for Bankia setacea

• WoRMS Page for Bankia setacea
• Search Arctos Database for Bankia setacea (Southeast only)
• Search Arctos Database for Bankia setacea (entire database)
• Encyclopedia of Life search for Bankia setacea
• iNaturalist Observations for Bankia setacea in Southeast Alaska

Other References

• Lamb Hanby 2005

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  Shipworm (Bankia setacea)

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