Welsh scientists analyzing a clam shell from the North Atlantic off the coast of Iceland determined it was the oldest living animal in recorded history.

The ocean quahog, nicknamed Ming after the Chinese dynasty it was born in, was determined to be 405 years old when it died.

Scientists are able to determine the age of a clam by counting the growth rings in its shell, much like the rings of a tree, Chris Richardson of the Bangor University School of Ocean Sciences told the Times of London.

Richardson notes that this species of clam typically lives for 200 years.

By analyzing Ming’s growth rings, scientists were able to construct an environmental profile of climate patterns in the North Atlantic.

Ming's flesh was discarded last year and only the shell remained when scientists determined its age. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International 




Publication date: 29 October 2007   

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