Giant Clam & The Algae Within

Giant Clam & The Algae Within When scientists & marine biologists mention symbiosis, one can only begin to fathom the relationship between two different living creatures that live close together & depend on each other in particular ways, each getting particular benefits from the other in order to survive. How far you can fathom this feat depends upon what you see & sometimes even what you experience. If you have seen a giant clam in the wild (seabed), you will know how beautiful it is. We all know about Nemo’s relationship with anemone but we seldom hear of giant clams. They are considered ‘vulnerable’ species & listed as protected under the CITES trade. This enormous shellfish is the largest and heaviest of all the living molluscs (Tridacna spp.). Like all bivalve molluscs the shell consists of two valves, although in the larger giant clams these cannot close completely. The shell is extremely thick and lacks bony plates; when viewed from above, each valve has 4 to 5 inward facing triangular projections. The mantle of the clam is visible between the two shells, and is golden brown or yellow or green, although it may contain so many blue or purple spots that the overwhelming impression is of a beautiful iridescent colour. A number of pale or clear spots on the mantle, which are known as 'windows,’ function to allow sunlight to filter in through the mantle. With this light, the minute algae called zooxanthellae living in the mantle, photosynthesises & secretes a waste that becomes food for the giant clam! The mantle is completely fused with the exception of two holes (or 'siphons'); the inhalant siphon is fringed with sensory tentacles, whilst the exhalent siphon is tube-like and is capable of expelling a large volume of water if the clam’s shells close suddenly. Though the siphon enables it to filter plankton from the ocean’s movement, its symbiotic relationship with the algae is truly amazing. Now this is what baffles me, evidently, God has created everything with a need or dependency on some thing or other, designed to complement one another, how are we to find that perfect clam to be that abundant source of fulfilment, joy & happiness by being what we are??? The algae did not wake up one day to find itself without a purpose. It was designed to BE A PURPOSE. God created them AS THE BEGINNING OF THE FOOD CHAIN. They were created to produce the 95% of the oxygen that we breathe; to feed the massive whale sharks, manta rays, megamouths & whatever else that require algae to function. Eve was taken from Adam’s ribs to be fashioned as his other complete person to become ONE. Blissful Diving.... As Jack had said to me, “God did not design two halves to become one. He said TWO shall become ONE. The void that we may feel during break-ups has to be filled only by God, not by another person just so that we can become COMPLETE. We are made COMPLETE IN HIM.” During my trip to Dayang, Jack & I ended up on a different boat after a freak storm hit us during a dive. As we were brought back to the island & while waiting for my other students to be delivered by our boat, we somehow had this conversation. It made me think about the giant clam later & why it was bigger than all other bivalves & what made it so special. And it’s beautiful. I’ve touched the mantle before just so I know what it feels like. It’s really soft & smooth! To see how intricately God had fashioned this animal to be the protection & host to zillions of zooxantellae is so awesome! Surely the algae did not say to the clam, “I cook, you wash.” It must’ve said, “I cook, you eat. Just shelter me from the elements at night & sun me in the day. That’s all I need to cook for you. And for as long as I live, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The sunrise within... Why do people still split hairs about household chores, grocery shopping, making dinner & caring for the kids??? Does it really matter? No doubt the clam just sits there & do nothing all day but eat, it hosts the much needed algae. Some husbands sit there & do nothing but it makes you wonder if they are the giant clam you made them out to be. God designed them with a purpose too. To be strong enough to withstand currents. To weather any storm & to proudly show the patterns that the algae has formed in their mantles. Well, the only way to tell if you get the right clam is to have Light in your lives & be complete first before you drift into any stupid clam that might make your life miserable. Then determine if the clam is hungry & identify its needs for you. Finally, have the clam say to you, “I need you to be in my mantle, will you stay there with me forever???” Dawn at Dayang