Size

Length: 10cm (4")

Recognition Characters

Long straight hinge with wing like projection. Other part of oyster rounded or oval. Small pointed projections extend from exterior of shell.

Color

Yellowish or dark brown

Habitat & Depth

Attach to stalks of gorgonians on reefs or areas of hardbottom.

Distribution at GRNMS

Common. Found attached to Leptogorgia sp..

Geographic Range

South Carolina south through the Caribbean

Behavior & Notes

Most commonly associated with the Sea Whip on Georgia coast. Occasionally produces pearls but of no commercial value. Exterior of shell is often camouflaged by a variety of encrusting organisms.

Synonyms

References

Humann 1992a, Ruppert and Fox 1988, Abbott 2001