New study on New Zealand habitats most vulnerable to gold clam invasion

New study on NZ habitats most vulnerable to Gold Clam invasion. A new study has modelled which habitats in Aotearoa New Zealand might be most vulnerable to Gold Clam invasion in the hope that management efforts can be targeted effectively. The findings suggest that the highest risk areas are mostly located in Te Ika-aMāui (North Island), in particular, northern Waikato, Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay. In Te Waipounamu (the South Island) areas with the highest habitat suitability included Marlborough, North Canterbury and Christchurch. The Gold Clam (Corbicula fluminea) is a highly invasive freshwater mollusc, which was detected in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2023. Currently, it has only been observed in the Waikato catchment, but there is significant concern it will spread across the country. The paper’s lead author, University of Otago student Rose Somerville, completed the study alongside Cawthron Institute freshwater scientists Dr Calum MacNeil and Dr Finnbar ...