Lipid composition of selected tissues of the hardshell clam, Mercenaria mercenaria

1. The total lipids and lipid classes from six tissues of Mercenaria mercenaria were determined. 2. Polar lipids accounted for the largest fraction of lipids. The highest concentration of polar lipids was found in the gill. 3. Free sterols were found only in trace amounts in the gill but were found in much higher quantities (up to 22.6%) in other tissues. 4. The largest stores of triacylglycerols were in the digestive tract-gonads and adductor muscle.