Comprehensive Description
Pinctada margaritifera is distinguished by black coloration to the outer surface of the shell, and non-nacreous border. The external shell often grows lighter striations radiating from the umbo (Saville-Kent 1972). The silver nacre inside the shell becomes dark or smoky towards the distal rim, hence the name black-lip. There are no hinge teeth. The shell valves are moderately convex. Maximum sizes of 30cm in diameter and 9kg shell weight have been recorded with individuals living for up to 30 years (Lintilhac 1985).
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