Question

Which one of the following is Indian Pearl oyster?
A. Cyprea
B. Mytilus
C. Pteria
D. Lamellidens

Answer 1

Hint: Pearl oysters are not closely related to the edible oysters. The pearl oysters have a strong inner shell layer which is made up of nacre. It is also called the mother of pearls.

Complete Answer:
- The oysters which produce pearls belong to the genus Pinctada. All the species of this genus produce pearls. They produce pearls of different sizes and colours. These are marine organisms, they belong to molluscs. These organisms have an inner shell layer composed of nacre which when stimulated and the tissue secretes a fluid which when gets deposited forms pearl.
1. Pearls are obtained in commercial quantities from some species closely related to genus Pteria. Pearls are also produced from freshwater mussel species which are not related to pearl oysters.
2. Cyprea- It is a medium sized to large sea snail belonging to the family Cypraeidae. It is a marine gastropod. Commonly called as cowries.
3. Mytilus- It is an edible saltwater mussel. A marine bivalve molluscs belonging to the family Mytilidae.
4. Lamellidens- It is a freshwater mussel. It is a bivalve mussel commonly known as river mussel.

Thus the correct answer is(C). Pteria is also known as Indian Pearl oyster.

Note: Pteria is a bivalve oyster. It is also known as winged oyster. It is widely collected from the tropical sea. They yield pearls which are used in making jewellery.