Spondylus varius, is a species of large marine bivalve mollusc in the family Spondylidae, the spiny oysters.
| Spondylus varius | |
|---|---|
| |
| A live individual of Spondylus varius, in situ off Mayotte | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Pectinida |
| Family: | Spondylidae |
| Genus: | Spondylus |
| Species: | S. varius
|
| Binomial name | |
| Spondylus varius G.B. Sowerby I, 1827
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
editSpondylus 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.
Ecology
editIt lives at a depths of 30 m, and like most bivalves, is a filter-feeder, using plankton as a food source.
Distribution
editThis species can be found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and off Australia, China, the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan.
References
editExternal links
edit
 | This bivalve-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |