Frond Oyster
Dendostrea frons (Linnaeus, 1758)
Oysters: Family Ostreidae
Frond Oysters are from the family of edible oysters. They are fairly rare on S. Hutchinson Island. Some are attacehd to other shells.
Frond Oyster from S. Hurchinson Island- November, 2020
Shells of Dendostrea frons (Linnaeus, 1758) can be found on the islands’ beaches usually attached to other objects. The shell outline is variable (see pictures), and usually conforms to the shape of the objects the Oyster is attached to: very elongate when attached to Sea Whips or rounded when living on rocks or other hard substrates. Claw-like projections “hook” the shells onto stems of Sea Whips. Frond Oysters belong to the same family as the edible Oysters, the family Ostreidae.
* * * *
JAX:
Dendostrea frons (Linnaeus, 1758) Frond Oyster
By SCUBA near Peanut Island, Palm Beach Inlet, Palm Beach County, FL 6/28/2009. Underwater photograph copyright 2009 by Anne DuPont.
Dendrostrea Swainson, 1840 is an invalid emendation of Dendostrea Swainson, 1835.
Swainson, W., 1835. The elements of modern conchology briefly and plainly stated, for the use of students and travelers. London. vii + 62 pp.
Swainson, W., 1840. A treatise on malacology; or the natural classification of shells and shellfish. London. vii + 419, figs.