Atlantic Muck: Crassostrea rhizophorae

Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828)

root oyster | ostra

Description: Irregularly elongate with undulating margins. Lower valve is deeply cupped, while upper valve is flat. Exterior is solid white or grayish with purple blotches while interior is glossy white to purple. Exterior sculpture comprises irregular frills parallel to shell margin.

Size: 70-90 mm.

Ecology: Estuarine.

Geological range: Pleistocene-Recent (2-0 million years ago).

Geographic distribution: Caribbean, Florida.

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