Spondylus varius, variable thorny oyster A live individual of Spondylus varius, in situ off Fiji
Description
English: Spondylus varius Thorny Oyster
Date 13 April 2013, 13:46:52
Author Nick Hobgood https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nhobgood
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spondylus_varius_Thorny_Oyster_Fiji_by_Nick_Hobgood.jpg
Spondylus varius, is a species of large saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Spondylidae, the thorny oysters. S. varius reaches a maximum size of about 15-20 cm. It lives at a depths of 30 m, and like most bivalves, is a filter-feeder, using plankton as a food source. This species can be found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and off Australia, China, the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan. Order: Pectinoida, Family: Spondylidae.
Synonyms:
Spondylus varians (probably a misspelling)
Spondylus delessertii Chenu, 1844
Spondylus striatospinosus Chenu, 1844