Off the coast of Iceland, a giant quahog ocean clam was discovered in 2006. This ancient creature turned out to be the oldest individual ever recorded, living for over 507 years. Scientists were able to determine the clam’s age by counting growth ridges on its shell, much like counting tree rings. The clam was born around 1499, during the Ming Dynasty in China, earning it the nickname “Ming.”
Quahog clams are known for their longevity and some individuals have been found to live over 100 years despite being commercially caught species. The specific species of quahog clam discovered, A. islandica, can live for centuries by consuming very little oxygen thanks to its slow metabolism. According to marine biologist Doris Abele, animals with slow metabolisms tend to live longer lives.
Researchers also found that the damage level of A. islandica did not increase with age, aside from nucleic acid oxidation. This correlation has been observed in various other organisms as well. Unfortunately, the clam that lived through historical events such as the Reformation and Enlightenment died in 2006 after being placed in a refrigerator by researchers at Bangor University, England.
