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 Edit this 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
  • Spondylus varians (probably a misspelling)
  • Spondylus delessertii Chenu, 1844
  • Spondylus striatospinosus Chenu, 1844

Description

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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.

Ecology

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It lives at a depths of 30 m, and like most bivalves, is a filter-feeder, using plankton as a food source.

Distribution

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This species can be found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and off Australia, China, the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan.

References

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