The open shell of a European flat oyster is shown from above.

European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis) — The open shell of a European flat oyster is shown from above.

Creator: [H. Zell], Ostrea edulis 01.jpg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. License deed: [CC BY-SA 3.0 deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en).

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Species record

European Flat Oyster

Ostrea edulis

Explore the European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The European flat oyster is a filter-feeding bivalve native to northeastern Atlantic coasts and nearby seas. It lives on suitable firm seabed in sheltered shallow waters, and wild beds have declined after historical exploitation and other pressures.

Classification in this archive

  1. Kingdom: Animals
  2. Phylum: Mollusca
  3. Class: Bivalves
  4. Order: Ostreida
  5. Family: Ostreidae
  6. Genus: Ostrea

Habitat and distribution

Selected documented locations — not a complete species range.

Habitat
sheltered estuaries and shallow coastal waters, firm seabed of mud, gravel, shells or rock
Selected regions
Europe, Africa

Conservation status

Conservation status not recorded.

Did you know?

  • European flat oysters filter tiny food particles from seawater.
  • The lower shell is curved, while the upper shell is flat.

More images

A magnified view of European flat oyster larvae.

European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis) — A magnified view of European flat oyster larvae.

Creator: Olivier Dugornay (IFREMER, Pôle Images, Centre Bretagne - ZI de la Pointe du Diable - CS 10070 - 29280 Plouzané, France), Larves d'huîtres plates (Ostrea edulis) (Ifremer 00550-66164 - 50551).jpg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. License deed: [CC BY 4.0 deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en).

Licence: CC BY 4.0

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Sources and attribution