Spondylus

Lazarus rattle ( Spondylus gaederopus )

The spiked oysters, also hinged shells ( Spondylus ) are a globally widespread in the warmer seas mussel species. They are the only genus of the family Spondylidae that is made to the order of Pectinoida. The oldest fossil forms of these shells are known from the Jurassic.

Features

The case is strong inequivalve. The left-hand curved flap is cemented to a solid substrate. Especially the " upper" right flap is usually strongly with spike-like projections ornamented ( hence the name ), rarely "only" with strong ribs. The inner shell layer is aragonitisch, the outer shell layer kalzitisch. In many species, the outside is additionally provided yet bold colors. The castle has two flaps on two approximately equal-sized teeth which engage in pits in the other flap ( isodontes lock). Thus, a firm connection is on the one hand ensures the other hand, a slight movement of the flap against each other. The " ears" of the flaps are of unequal size. It 's just a big sphincter exists, in contrast to most other shells, which have two sphincter. This property is referred to as monomyar. Spiked oysters possess similar to the related scallops numerous eye on the shell edge and have a correspondingly developed nervous system with a concentration of ganglia in the visceral area.

Life, the occurrence and distribution

The species of the genus Spondylidae occur worldwide in temperate and warmer areas. They live permanently anzementert on hard substrates and filter small organisms and detritus from the water. In Europe, the genus ( and family ) in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic by Lazarus rattle ( Spondylus gaederopus ) is represented.

Use

As early as the Neolithic period of Lazarus rattle were made into jewelery and traded over long distances, as shown by archaeological finds from Austria, where pearls were found by sting oysters in South and South-East Europe housing. Probably originated most housings from the Black Sea.

In South America served by other housing Spondylus species ( called in Quechua mullu ) on the Nazca cultures, Moche, Chimu and Inca for making jewelry and served probably for ritual purposes. Around the turn of the millennium, the archaeologist Dr. Markus Reindel interpreted in fieldwork in Nazca (Peru ), the shell as a " rainmaker - shell", in relation to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which at intervals of several years, more southern regions donates rain as they occurs as far south. The mussels were also made ​​into necklaces etc.; those found as grave goods use, but preserved their fertility and life-giving meaning. Because of its slightly reddish coloration and due to their high symbolic value, the Thorny Oyster in Latin America is also called oro rojo ( " red gold ").

The species of the genus Spondylus be eaten as a delicacy in many areas. In addition still processing into jewelry and selling the shells to tourists.

System

The Spondylidae family currently includes only the eponymous genus Spondylus, but which is divided by some authors into two or three sub-genera. Most of the authors, this breakdown is not used. The number of species within the genus Spondylus is controversial and varies depending on the author between 30 and 70 species.

Types (selection)

  • Spondylus gaederopus Linnaeus, 1758
  • Spondylus regius Linnaeus, 1758
  • Spondylus imperialis Chenu, 1843
  • Spondylus wrightians Crosse, 1872
  • Spondylus americanus Hermann, 1781
  • Spondylus princeps Broderip, 1833
  • Spondylus anacanthus Mawe, 1823
  • Spondylus linguaefelis Sowerby, 1847
  • Spondylus multimuricatus Reeve, 1856
  • Spondylus versicolor writer, 1793
  • Spondylus sinensis writer, 1793
  • Spondylus squamosus writer, 1793
John Edward Gray Aragonite
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