Charles

The Manila Clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850), also known as the Japanese Carpet Shell, has been found in British waters - "The Japanese carpet shell (Ruditapes philippinarum) is native to Japan with a wide distribution in the Indian and Pacific Oceans from Pakistan to the Russian Federation (Kuril Islands). It has subsequently been introduced along the North American Pacific coast, the Hawaiian Isles and, over the last 20 years, along the European coastline from the United Kingdom to the Mediterranean Basin."

See over at: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/1002/  -  "The Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum was introduced to Poole Harbour (lat 50°N) on the south coast of England in 1988 as a novel species for aquaculture. Contrary to expectations, this species naturalised."

This species has just been added to the MapMate Dictionary (in the latest Update).

This species now needs adding to the Dictionary for NBN, NHM, Recorder and webservices.

Many thanks

Steve