Image of Saccostrea band in the intertidal at Point Sampson (Photo: Nerida Wilson)
Close up of Saccostrea oysters (with chitons) (Photo: Nerida Wilson)

Oyster

Saccostrea n. sp.

Shell solid, unequal valves. Very variable shape, with crenulated margin. Externally cream-purple-brown, internally white, with some purple colouration.

Morphology

This species looks almost identical to other Saccostrea species. It is most easily distinguished by using DNA.

Evolution

The relationships among species in Saccostrea are still not well understood. This new species is most closely related to S. cucullata (lineage A in Lam & Morton 2006).

Behaviour

Sessile after the larvae settles and attaches to hard substrate.

Method of reproduction

Likely a broadcast spawner as for other members of the genus.

Habitat

Marine, intertidal

Hard substrate in the high intertidal. Will settle on rocky shores or wood.

Distribution

North-western Australia.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Pteriomorpha
Order: Ostreida
Superfamily: Ostreoidea
Family: Ostreidae
Subfamily: Saccostreinae
Genus: Saccostrea
Species: n. sp.
Rank: species
Commercial Impact: 

Exploratory fishery in the north

Conservation Assessment: Least Concern

Phylogenetic Tree: 

Phylogenetic tree

Net Conservation Benefits Fund

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Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/saccostrea-n-sp
Accessed 29 Aug 2023

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