Ocean quahog clam specimen was collected in 2006, and took care, through previous research scientists identified it is 405 years old. Further studies then showed that the old oyster may be 507 years old. The scientists decided to open its clamshell to look inside and this killed it.

UPI news agency quoted Dr. Paul Butler, an oceanographer said that the first time scientists identified the wrong age of the old oyster and then determined its age of 507 years old, it is unfortunately it died. This means that the oyster was born in 1499, the period of Minh Dynasty in China developed strongly, 7 years after Columbus landed in America, and a decade before Henry VIII became king of England.

The quahog clam shells gradually developed over the years with the ring quite like the tree rings to determine age. However, a main part of the hinge connects between the two new shells for exact age. Therefore, there are new differences between 405 and 507 years old.