Ostreidae are designated as true Oysters. The term “Oyster” refers to many distinct groups of saltwater bivalve mollusks that are found in brackish or marine environments. The superfamily Ostreoidea includes most Oysters but not all of them.
The term “Oyster” comes from the French “oistre,” which itself came from the Latin “ostrea,” which itself came from the Greek “ostreon.” It translates to “bone,” referring to the hard shell. Over 200 kinds of true Oysters have been recognized worldwide, and there are five main varieties of Oysters. True Oysters have been produced for cuisine for over 2,000 years.
Appearance
Oyster shells often have an oblong or pear shape. However, their shape can vary greatly depending on what they are attached to. Their internal shell is often pearly white, while their outside shell is typically whitish-gray. Gills are the primary method of breathing for Oysters. Oysters are able to exchange gases not only through their gills but also through their mantles, which are surrounded by numerous little blood veins with thin walls.
All of the Oyster’s organs are supplied with colorless blood by a tiny, three-chambered heart that is located beneath the adductor muscle. Two kidneys, placed on the underside of the stomach, eliminate waste materials from the blood at the same time.
Diet
Because their cilia beat, Oysters are filter feeders that take in water through their gills. Suspended plankton and non-food particles are caught in the Oysters gill mucus and then transferred to the mouth, where they are consumed, digested, and discharged as feces or pseudofeces that sink to the bottom and don’t enter the water column.
At temperatures between 56 and 70°F, Oysters eat most actively. Don’t confuse them for detritivores despite the fact that they are sometimes known as bottom feeders.
Habitat
The Ostreidae family, which includes true Oysters, is present across the world’s seas, often in shallow waters and in groups known as beds or reefs. The eastern American Oyster, which can be found in Atlantic seas from Canada to Argentina, and the Pacific Oyster, which can be found from Japan and as far south as Australia, are two of the most well-liked and extensively fished species.
Oysters are a part of the ecosystem that supports a wide range of marine animals. Numerous little organisms can dwell in the nooks and crevices between Oyster shells as well as on their hard surfaces. A plain bottom’s surface area can be increased by 50 times with an Oyster reef.
Reproduction
Although certain Oyster species have two sexes, both eggs and sperm are present in their reproductive system. It is physically conceivable for an Oyster to fertilize its own eggs because of this. In addition to sex cells, expanding tubules, and connective tissue, the gonads also include the digestive organs.
The designated female Oyster releases her millions of fertilized eggs into the ocean after fertilization. The larvae grow in approximately 6-7 hours and spend 2 to 3 weeks floating in the water column as veliger larvae before establishing on a bed and maturing sexually in about a year.
Threats
Among the usual predators of Oysters are crabs, seagulls, starfish, and humans. Arguably the biggest threat to Oysters is from humans. Oysters are not officially designated as threatened or endangered, and commercial collection is restricted over most of their habitat.
However, because of their acute sensitivity to water quality and susceptibility to coastal pollution, many regions where they were previously common have seen a decline or complete extinction of their populations. Additionally, their meat may absorb poisons, rendering them unfit for human ingestion.
Facts about the Oyster
- It has been estimated that Oysters have existed for 15 million years.
- Oysters have a 20-year lifespan.
- 50 liters of seawater can be filtered daily by a single Oyster.
- Oyster shells have been used for construction mixes.
- Oyster shells are recycled in the ecosystem by other species.
FAQs
Is an Oyster a fish?
Oysters are also known as shellfish. However, despite the name, shellfish are by no means fish. Hence Oysters are not fish but mollusks. Since most shellfish are at the bottom of the food chain, their main sources of nutrition are phytoplankton and zooplankton.
Do Oysters have eyes?
Oysters do possess eyes that they use in order to escape potential predators. As a matter of fact, an Oyster has approximately 200 eyes spread out on the shell. However, their eyes are not comparable to fish or even humans but rather to insects.
Do Oysters have pearls?
Oysters possess the ability to create pearls. When a foreign object enters the Oyster between the mantle and shell, a pearl begins to develop. Because of this irritation, the Oyster attempts to defend itself by creating silicate minerals to cover the foreign object. A pearl develops from these layers over time.
Can Oysters produce colored pearls?
Oysters may produce pearls in a range of hues, such as white, black, charcoal, red, turquoise, and emerald. While the majority of these hues are common around the globe, black pearls are unique to the South Pacific Oyster species.
Can Oysters feel fear?
Oysters have nerve cords and ganglia. When they feel threatened, their heartbeat quickens to indicate panic, and after hearing a noise, they “clam up” to defend their bodies. Even while their nervous system is not as central as that of a human, they do have one.
