Ostreida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ostreida |
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| A true oyster, family Ostreidae, the Pacific oyster, Magallana gigas | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Subclass: | Pteriomorphia |
| Order: | Ostreida Fërussac, 1822 |
| Families | |
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Gryphaeidae |
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The Ostreida is a group of sea animals that includes all the different kinds of true oysters. In biology, an "order" is a way to group living things that are closely related. Within the Ostreida order, scientists recognize one main group called a superfamily (Ostreoidea) and two important families that are still alive today.
These two families are the Ostreidae, which are the true oysters you might know, and the Gryphaeidae, sometimes called foam oysters.
Contents
What are Oysters?
Oysters are amazing sea creatures that live in salty ocean waters, often in bays and estuaries. They are a type of bivalve, which means they have two shells that are hinged together. Oysters are filter feeders. This means they get their food by pumping water through their bodies and catching tiny bits of food like plankton. This process also helps to clean the water around them!
True Oysters (Ostreidae)
The Ostreidae family includes the oysters that people often eat, like the Pacific oyster shown in the picture. These oysters are known for their strong, irregular shells. They attach themselves to rocks or other hard surfaces in the ocean. True oysters are very important for the environment because they filter large amounts of water every day. They also create habitats for other small sea creatures.
Foam Oysters (Gryphaeidae)
The Gryphaeidae family is another group within the Ostreida order. While some of these oysters are still alive today, many are known from fossils. They are sometimes called "foam oysters" or "devil's toenails" because of their unique, often curved shell shape. These oysters also live in the ocean and are filter feeders, just like their true oyster relatives.
Why are Oysters Important?
Oysters play a super important role in ocean ecosystems. By filtering water, they help keep our oceans clean and clear. This is good for other marine life, like fish and crabs, that need clean water to survive. Oysters also form large reefs, which provide homes and protection for many different kinds of sea animals.
Humans have also valued oysters for a very long time. They are a popular seafood around the world. People also collect their shells for different uses.
See also
In Spanish: Ostreoides para niños
