Crassostrea


Crassostrea is a genus of true oysters containing some of the most important oysters used for food.
The genus was recent split in WoRMS, following the DNA-based phylogenies of Salvi et al.. Pacific species were moved to a new genus Magallana. C. zhanjiangensis became Talonostrea zhanjiangensis. The changes are not universally welcomed by oyster researchers, as C. gigas is "one of the most researched species of marine invertebrate".

Species

Extant species are:

Fossil species

Fossil species include:
  • †Crassostrea alabamiensis
  • †Crassostrea ashleyi
  • †Crassostrea cahobasensis
  • †Crassostrea contracta
  • †Crassostrea cucullaris
  • †Crassostrea cuebana
  • †Crassostrea elegans
  • †Crassostrea gigantissima – Giant fossil oyster
  • †Crassostrea gryphoides
  • †Crassostrea hatcheri
  • †Crassostrea ingens
  • †Crassostrea kawauchidensis
  • †Crassostrea patagonica
  • †Crassostrea raincourti
  • †Crassostrea titan
  • †Crassostrea transitoria
  • †''Crassostrea wyomingensis''

    Genetics

The genome of Crassostrea gigas has been recently sequenced revealing an extensive set of genes that enable it to cope with environmental stresses.