The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is the native oyster of the Pacific coast of Korea, Japan and China. It has been introduced to North America, especially in Puget Sound, Washington; and to the Australian states of Tasmania and South Australia. It is an important commercial harvest in all of these places. The Pacific oyster is a marine bivalve native to the west Pacific, and now cultured in many coastal regions of the world.

Like most oyster species, Pacific oysters change sex during their life, usually spawning first as a male and subsequently as a female. Spawning is temperature dependent and occurs in the summer months. The females can produce between30 to 40 million eggs per spawning, often giving the surrounding water a milky appearance. Fertilization takes place in the water.

Pacific oysters have a fairly thin shell with no hinge teeth on the inner, upper shell. The adductor muscle is purple or brown in color, while the edges of the mantle are black. The pacific oyster is actually a common food dish. It is eaten many places. There are surprisingly many recipes for this underwater animal. There is not much on this animal, but scientists are still doing research, trying to find out more information on this aquatic animal.

Author: Zach H

Published: 03/2008

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_oyster http://www.psmfc.org/habitat/edu_oyster_fact.html http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1714

Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Huitre_p1040847.jpg