Black-lipped pearl oyster [Pinctada margaritifera]
Description
Pinctada margaritifera, commonly known as the black-lipped pearl oyster, is a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Pteriidae. This species is native to the tropical Pacific Ocean, specifically in French Polynesia, Fiji, the Philippines, and the Cook Islands. It is known for its ability to produce dark, multi-colored pearls, thanks to the thick black inner shell layer known as the 'nacre'. This species generally inhabits clear, shallow waters, and can be found attached to coral or rocky substrates. Black-lipped pearl oysters are filter feeders that primarily consume phytoplankton.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Clams, Oysters, and Scallops
Bivalvia
|
| Order |
Pearl Oysters and Relatives
Pteriida
|
| Family |
Tree Oysters
Malleidae
|
| Genus |
Black-Lipped Pearl Oysters
Pinctada
|