First observations of Tridacna noae (Röding, 1798) (Bivalvia: Heterodonta: Cardiidae) in Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)

Abstract

We report these first in situ observations of the Noah’s giant clams, Tridacna noae from Christmas Island. On two separate occasions during diving in Christmas Island, we found five unique individuals of T. noae, which were first identified by their mantle ornamentation patterns. These preliminary observations expand geographic range westwards from South China Sea to East Indian Ocean, and are compared with known information on current T. noae geographic distribution.