Pinctada radiata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Pteriida |
Family: | Pteriidae |
Genus: | Pinctada |
Species: | P. radiata
|
Binomial name | |
Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814)
| |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
Pinctada radiata, commonly known as the Atlantic pearl-oyster [2] or the Gulf pearl oyster [1] is a species of pearl oyster distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific and in the Mediterranean. [3] [4] Its range extends as far north as Japan and as far south as the Australian state of Victoria. [5]
P. radiata is generally between 50 and 65 millimetres (2.0 and 2.6 in) in length, though it can reach 106 millimetres (4.2 in). The shell is thin, compressed, and square-like, [6] with growth rings and ribs on the top surface. [2] Its coloration varies, though it usually displays a brown or red exterior with a pearly interior and a light brown edge. [3] More rarely, the shell may display a green or bronze exterior. Darker brown or red rays may mark the shell, creating darker areas at the margin. [6] The shell's shape and structure also show much variation, hence its many synonyms; it has been described as "very similar to Pinctada margaritifera", and has been misidentified on occasion as P. margaritifera. P. radiata is hermaphroditic, with reproductive maturity being influenced by temperature. [3]
Pinctada radiata occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean Sea at all depths, though it is generally found between 5 and 25 metres (16 and 82 ft). [6] It attaches itself to various hard substrata, including rocks and wrecks. [2] P. radiata is common throughout its range, possibly because of its adaptation to subtropical environments and ability to survive in polluted water. [3] It was originally distributed only in the Indo-Pacific, but has been introduced into the Mediterranean unintentionally through the Suez Canal and intentionally for aquaculture. [1] [5]
Pinctada radiata is harvested for pearls, especially in Qatari waters, where it may constitute up to 95% of the oyster catch. [7] It is also caught for its edible flesh and lustrous shell. [6] P. radiata has also been investigated for possible use as a bioindicator of heavy metals in Persian Gulf waters. [8]
Pinctada radiata | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Pteriida |
Family: | Pteriidae |
Genus: | Pinctada |
Species: | P. radiata
|
Binomial name | |
Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814)
| |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
Pinctada radiata, commonly known as the Atlantic pearl-oyster [2] or the Gulf pearl oyster [1] is a species of pearl oyster distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific and in the Mediterranean. [3] [4] Its range extends as far north as Japan and as far south as the Australian state of Victoria. [5]
P. radiata is generally between 50 and 65 millimetres (2.0 and 2.6 in) in length, though it can reach 106 millimetres (4.2 in). The shell is thin, compressed, and square-like, [6] with growth rings and ribs on the top surface. [2] Its coloration varies, though it usually displays a brown or red exterior with a pearly interior and a light brown edge. [3] More rarely, the shell may display a green or bronze exterior. Darker brown or red rays may mark the shell, creating darker areas at the margin. [6] The shell's shape and structure also show much variation, hence its many synonyms; it has been described as "very similar to Pinctada margaritifera", and has been misidentified on occasion as P. margaritifera. P. radiata is hermaphroditic, with reproductive maturity being influenced by temperature. [3]
Pinctada radiata occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean Sea at all depths, though it is generally found between 5 and 25 metres (16 and 82 ft). [6] It attaches itself to various hard substrata, including rocks and wrecks. [2] P. radiata is common throughout its range, possibly because of its adaptation to subtropical environments and ability to survive in polluted water. [3] It was originally distributed only in the Indo-Pacific, but has been introduced into the Mediterranean unintentionally through the Suez Canal and intentionally for aquaculture. [1] [5]
Pinctada radiata is harvested for pearls, especially in Qatari waters, where it may constitute up to 95% of the oyster catch. [7] It is also caught for its edible flesh and lustrous shell. [6] P. radiata has also been investigated for possible use as a bioindicator of heavy metals in Persian Gulf waters. [8]