Spondylus varius, is a species of large marine bivalve mollusc in the family Spondylidae, the spiny oysters.
Description
Spondylus varius is the largest of the spiny oysters, reaching a maximum size of about 20 cm. Aside from the size, the shell is easily recognisable because its adult part is white, but a colourful (usually crimson, but it can be yellow) prodissoconch is clearly visible at the apical end. The type series representing this species is held by the Natural History Museum, London.[1]
Right and left valve of the same specimen:
Right valve
Left valve
Ecology
It lives at a depths of 30 m, and like most bivalves, is a filter-feeder, using plankton as a food source.
Distribution
This species can be found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and off Australia, China, the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan.
References
- ↑ White, Tom S.; Collins, Katie S.; Malcolm, Gavin (2026-01-02). "An illustrated catalogue of the type Spondylidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Pectinida) in the Natural History Museum, London". Systematics and Biodiversity. 24 (1) 2561743. Taylor & Francis. doi:10.1080/14772000.2025.2561743. ISSN 1477-2000.
External links
