Hammer Oysters [Malleus]

Description

Malleus, commonly known as the hammer oysters, is a genus of marine bivalve molluscs in the family Malleidae. These oysters are characterized by their unique hammer-like shape of the shell, which is elongated and often has a variable and irregular outline. The shells of hammer oysters are attached to the substratum by a byssus, allowing them to live in intertidal and subtidal zones. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters, often forming dense clusters. Hammer oysters are filter feeders, extracting plankton and organic particles from the water.

Species

Regal Hammer Oyster [Malleus regalis]

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Taxonomy