&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Ming_clam_shell_WG061294R.jpg) Left valve of the shell, taken in 2006. The clam was 507 years old when captured. | |
| Other name(s) | Hafrún |
|---|---|
| Species | Arctica islandica (ocean quahog clam) |
| Sex | Unknown |
| Hatched | c. 1498 or 1499 Off the coast of the Crown Dependency of Iceland, Kingdom of Norway, Kalmar Union |
| Died | (aged 507) Off the coast of Iceland |
| Cause of death | Freezing |
| Known for | Oldest individual animal ever discovered |
| Named after | Chinese dynasty during which it was born |
Ming (c. 1498 or 1499–2006), also known as Hafrún, was an ocean quahog clam (Arctica islandica, family Arcticidae) that was dredged off the coast of Iceland in 2006 and whose age was calculated by counting annual growth lines in the shell. Ming was the oldest individual (non-colonial) animal ever discovered whose age could be precisely determined.[1][2][3]
Thought to be 405 years old, Ming was later determined to be 507 years old, although the clam had previously been killed to make this determination. The size of the clam was 87 mm × 73 mm (3.4 in × 2.9 in).
- ^ Farrar, Steve (2007-10-28). "Ming the mollusc holds secret to long life". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
- ^ Alleyne, Richard (2007-10-28). "Clam, 405, is oldest animal ever". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Butler_2013was invoked but never defined (see the help page).