Name
Spondylus
red oyster
Framing
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Pteriomorphia
Genus: Spondylus
Habitat
Marine. Benthic on hard bottoms
Feeding
Sesil. Solitary. Suspensivorous, filter feeders. Cemented to the substrate on the left side.
Distribution
North Atlantic and Mediterranean
Conservation status
A rare species, clearly endangered due to a disease that has affected it on several occasions. Included in the "Libro rojo de los invertebrados de Andalucía" as an endangered species.
Additional information
Shell solid, up to 13 cm long, unequivalent and inequilateral. Right valve cemented to the substrate and left valve in the form of a lid. Internal ligament and hinge isodont. Surface with spines, which tend to disappear in older specimens. Usually covered by algae and sponges of the genus Crambe. Reddish colour on the outside and white-porcelain on the inside. Lives on rocky bottoms from about 5 m depth to about 40 m.
Additional information
Bibliography
- Doneddu, M. &Trainito E. (2005). Conchiglie del Mediterraneo. Guida al riconoscimento dei moluschi conchigliati. Il Castello. 256 pp.
- Gofas S., Moreno D. y Salas C. (2011). Moluscos marinos de Andalucía. Volumen II- Málaga: Servicio de Publicaciones e Intercambio Científico, Universidad de Málaga. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Ocaña, A, Sánchez Tocino, L., López González, S, y Viciana Martín, J.F. (2000). Guía Submarina de Invertebrados no Artrópodos. Ed. Comares. Granada. 471 pp. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Poppe, G.T. & Goto Y. (1993). European Seasshells. Vol. II. Verlarg Christa Hemmen.