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spondylus regius
Actual size, measured from spine to spine, 6 inches wide by 4 inches height.
Moderately deep and still waters. Specimen is in mid growth. Adults grow twice size. Endangered due to habitat lose. Photographed recently but specimen obtained, 1977.
Spotted on Feb 10, 1977
Submitted on Feb 10, 2014
10 Comments
The distinctive looking thorny or spiny oysters (Spondylus sp.) are not true oysters but are more closely related to scallops. Unlike most bivalves that have a simple toothed hinge, the two parts of Spondylus shells are joined by a ball-and-socket hinge. Sadly many Spondylus species are becoming threatened by habitat loss and because their attractive shells are harvested and sold to collectors. https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/pho...
Well said. Same everywhere unfortunately.
This is a very serious problem in the Philippines, the loss of wild habitat. The population is just increasing so fast that people, to live, have gone into areas "where wild things grow." I got it as a sold specimen in 1976, when shell collecting had no guilt. I wouldn't do it anymore. I would encourage people to have less children and keep their environment clean. I would gladly give it up so that more people can see its beauty.
Interesting spotting! Where is this individual kept? If it is at an aquarium, it could go in the Captive Animals mission: http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/7973... - a belated welcome to Project Noah!
Beauty !
..sorry but I can't even spell 'sharing' properly :-)
Wow! What an amazing creature. Thanks for haring this. It seems scientific name should be Spondylus instead of Spondylius?
Yes, the specimen was alive in 1977.
I'm not quite sure what you mean here. Was this specimen alive in 1977?
Amazing ! Is this specimen now in a museum of some sort ?