European thorny oyster (Spondylus gaederopus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Spondylus gaederopus
- Common name
- European thorny oyster
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Spondylidae
- Genus
- Spondylus
- Size
- 7–15 cm
- Depth
- 2–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky, reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, filter-feeder
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Spondylus gaederopus reaches 15 cm. Characteristic bivalve cemented to rocks (not attached by a byssus), lower valve sculpted with long irregular spines, upper valve flatter. External color variable (white, pink, orange, violet), often masked by encrustations. Characteristic vivid-violet interior. Edible, sometimes harvested by divers. Lives on Mediterranean rocky walls and coralligenous habitats from 2 to 50 m.
Photo of European thorny oyster
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the European thorny oyster?
- European thorny oyster (Spondylus gaederopus) reaches 7–15 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the European thorny oyster?
- European thorny oyster is found between 2–50 m deep.
- Is the European thorny oyster dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the European thorny oyster?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the European thorny oyster?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Spondylus
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 141549)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5729646)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia