Description ³

This bivalve is approximately 6 to 8 centimetres (2.4 to 3.1 in) in length. The shell can be rounded or elongated and is white to purplish black and may be striped with yellow or brown. Unlike most bivalves, the Olympia oyster's shell lacks the periostracum, which is the outermost coating of shell that prevents erosion of the underlying shell. The color of the oyster's flesh is white to a light olive green.

Ostrea lurida oysters lie with their left valve on the substrate, where they are firmly attached.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) stonebird, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/73431753@N00/5533508939
2. (c) BJ Stacey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by BJ Stacey
3. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrea_lurida

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• CalPhotos
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• SeaLifeBase
• World Register of Marine Species

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