Hammer oyster [Malleus albus]
Description
Malleus albus, commonly known as the Hammer oyster, is a marine bivalve mollusk belonging to the family Malleidae. The species is characterized by an elongated shape that resembles a hammer or sickle. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to the Philippines. It inhabits sandy substrates of shallow marine environments. The shell is white to off-white and is distinguished by strong radial ribs.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Clams, Oysters, and Scallops
Bivalvia
|
| Order |
Pearl Oysters and Relatives
Pteriida
|
| Family |
Pearl Oysters
Pteriidae
|
| Genus |
Hammer Oysters
Malleus
|