Southwest Florida Shells

by José H. Leal

Family Ostreidae

Dendostrea frons

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Frond Oyster

Shell size to 45 mm; shell outline variable: usually elongate when attached to sea whips; rounded when living on rocks or other hard substrates. Sometimes with central ridge and branching ribs. Claw-like projections on these ribs serve to attach the bivalve onto the stem of a sea whip. Inner margins with tiny, pimple-like denticles. Color reddish- to dark-brown.