biostudies-literatureUnknownArathi ARThe economically valuable bivalve mollusc, known as the short-neck clam, is the major fishery resource of the brackishwater Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala, India. This fishery carries a Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainability wherein it and all hitherto published reports identify the short-neck clam or yellow-foot clam as <i>Paphiamalabarica</i> (Dillwyn, 1817). It is noted that this name does not conform with current nomenclature and is now correctly referred to <i>Protapesgallus</i> (Gmelin, 1791). Furthermore, it is shown that the identification is also incorrect. Comparative shell morphology of venerid clams of the subfamily Tapetinae from the south Indian coast demonstrates that the short-neck clam in Ashtamudi Lake is <i>Marciarecens</i> (Holten, 1802). Small numbers of <i>M.opima</i> (Gmelin, 1791) were found in Ashtamudi Lake but appear not to be part of, or contribute significantly to, the fishery. The venerid clams <i>Protapesgallus</i> and <i>P.ziczac</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) are not found in Ashtamudi Lake but are inhabitants of the shallow coastal waters of south India. Descriptions of the four confused species <i>M.recens</i>, <i>M.opima</i>, <i>P.gallus</i>, and <i>P.ziczac</i> are given. On the basis of this study, the species involved in Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification may be better considered at the generic level of <i>Marcia</i> or at the species level as <i>Marciarecens</i>, the most dominant species in the Ashtamudi Lake clam fishery zone.ZooKeys1-20https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6281702biostudies-literatureThe Ashtamudi Lake short-neck clam: re-assigned to the genus <i>Marcia</i> H. Adams & A. Adams, 1857 (Bivalvia, Veneridae).PMC6281702Kumar ABArathi ARRavinesh ROliver PGfalseThe Ashtamudi Lake short-neck clam: re-assigned to the genus <i>Marcia</i> H. Adams & A. Adams, 1857 (Bivalvia, Veneridae).The economically valuable bivalve mollusc, known as the short-neck clam, is the major fishery resource of the brackishwater Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala, India. This fishery carries a Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainability wherein it and all hitherto published reports identify the short-neck clam or yellow-foot clam as <i>Paphiamalabarica</i> (Dillwyn, 1817). It is noted that this name does not conform with current nomenclature and is now correctly referred to <i>Protapesgallus</i> (Gmelin, 1791). Furthermore, it is shown that the identification is also incorrect. Comparative shell morphology of venerid clams of the subfamily Tapetinae from the south Indian coast demonstrates that the short-neck clam in Ashtamudi Lake is <i>Marciarecens</i> (Holten, 1802). Small numbers of <i>M.opima</i> (Gmelin, 1791) were found in Ashtamudi Lake but appear not to be part of, or contribute significantly to, the fishery. The venerid clams <i>Protapesgallus</i> and <i>P.ziczac</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) are not found in Ashtamudi Lake but are inhabitants of the shallow coastal waters of south India. Descriptions of the four confused species <i>M.recens</i>, <i>M.opima</i>, <i>P.gallus</i>, and <i>P.ziczac</i> are given. On the basis of this study, the species involved in Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification may be better considered at the generic level of <i>Marcia</i> or at the species level as <i>Marciarecens</i>, the most dominant species in the Ashtamudi Lake clam fishery zone.2018-01-01T00:00:00Z20182025-04-21T15:09:40.527Z2019-03-27T00:11:45ZS-EPMC62817023053261510.3897/zookeys.799.25829