The Pearl Oyster (Pinctada) Produces Pearls By Secreting Layers Of Nacre Around An Irritant Inside Its Shell. Found In Warm, Shallow Ocean Waters, These Oysters Are Valued For Both Natural And Cultured Pearl Production, With Species Like Pinctada Maxima And Pinctada Fucata Being Notable Examples.

KEYWORDS

-pearl absorption adductor aragonite baroque bead bed bivalve bottom byssus calcification coastal color conchiolin cultured digestion epithelial excretion feeding filter foot gill graft growth habitat hard hinge implant inorganic iridescence larva ligament luster mantle marine mollusk mother- mud muscle nacre natural nucleus ocean organic outer oyster particles pearl pinctada plankton reef reproduction rock round saltwater sand sea settlement shape shell shellfish size soft spawn substrate tissue tropical valve veliger warm 4k