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Issue: Vol. 5799 No. 1: 24 Apr. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-04-24
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5799.1.1
Page range: 1-31
Abstract views: 99
PDF downloaded: 40

Clarifying the identities of Saccostrea scyphophilla (Péron & Lesueur, 1807) and S. mordax (Gould, 1850) (Bivalvia: Ostreidae) from the Indo-Pacific

School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; PO Box U1987; Bentley; WA 6845 Australia
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum; National University of Singapore; 2 Conservatory Drive; Singapore 117377; Singapore
St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory; Tropical Marine Science Institute; National University of Singapore; Singapore 119227; Singapore
Centre for Sustainable Futures; Laucala Campus; The University of the South Pacific; Suva; Fiji
Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division/Division Pêche; Aquaculture et Ecosystèmes Marins; Pacific Community (SPC) | Communauté du Pacifique; Nabua; Suva; Fiji
School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; PO Box U1987; Bentley; WA 6845 Australia; Negaunee Integrative Research Center; Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago; Illinois 60605 USA
Mollusca 16S COX1 Indo-Pacific Singapore Fiji

Abstract

There have been numerous morphological and genetic studies of oyster taxonomy, but species relationships, particularly in the genus Saccostrea, are poorly understood. The present paper uses shell morphology and DNA sequences to demonstrate Saccostrea scyphophilla (Péron & Lesueur) and S. mordax (Gould) are distinct species. A neotype is designated for S. scyphophilla. Synonyms are Saxostrea amasa Iredale, Ostrea mordax var. cornucopiaeformis Saville-Kent and provisionally Ostrea forskali var. sueli Jousseaume, while Saccostrea mordoides Cui et al. is a synonym of S. mordax. The tropical oyster reef formed by S. scyphophilla at Point Quobba, Western Australia, is the first recorded reef constructed by this species. The present paper provides a basis for further work elucidating the species of Saccostrea in the Indo-West Pacific region.

 

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How to Cite

Lukehurst, S.S., Tan, S.K., Tan, K.S., Dehm, J., Hewavitharane, C. & Wells, F.E. (2026) Clarifying the identities of Saccostrea scyphophilla (Péron & Lesueur, 1807) and S. mordax (Gould, 1850) (Bivalvia: Ostreidae) from the Indo-Pacific. Zootaxa, 5799 (1), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5799.1.1