Crassostrea tulipa (Lamarck, 1819)
West African mangrove oyster
No Picture Available

Family:  Ostreidae (oysters)
Max. size: 
Environment:  benthic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: From Mauritania to Angola and from Venezuela to Brazil.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits the intertidal zone of rivers and estuaries (Ref. 101380). Also in mangrove estuaries where it is often associated with the air roots of mangrove trees, coastal rocks and stones (Ref. 101381). Often seen attached to the stilt roots of the red mangrove Rhizophora spp., fringing lagoons and estuaries (Ref. 106421). Also found on low subtidal level attached to rocks, shells, or stones on muddy sand bottoms (Ref. 109255). Oyster assemblage confers protection and food for various invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 101381). Filter-feeder, feeds on phytoplankton (green algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates) and substrate particles (Ref. 106999).
IUCN Red List Status: (LC); Date assessed: 24 September 2019 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 

Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.