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Species with Hinged Teeth

Pinctada shimizuensis (S. K. and R. Wada, 1953)

Common Synonyms	None
Primary Source	Japan: The Bay of Shimiza in Shizuoka Perfecture
Other geographical locations	Japan and the Ryukyu Islands
P. shimizuensis in pearls	Can be cross-bred with P. martensii

Distinguishing Characteristics

Originally considered to be a subspecies of P. martensii, P. shimizuensis is closely linked with P. martensii. It is distinguished by its square-shaped shell, which can reach lengths up to 9 cm.

Habitat and Ecology

The species derives its name from the bay where it was first discovered, the Bay of Shimiza in Shizuoka Perfecture.

- Genus Pinctada
- Pinctada anomioides
- Pinctada radiata
- Pinctada martensii
- Pinctada chemnitzii
- Pinctada albina
- Pinctada capensis

P. shmizuensis in Pearls

Because of its anatomical resemblance to P. martensii, it can be crossbred with the Japanese Akoya.

Pinctada nigra (Gould, 1850)

Common Synonyms	P. atropurpurea (Dunker, 1852) P. flexuosa (Reeve, 1857) P. sheepmakeri (Dunker, 1872) P. reentsii (Dunker, 1872) P. tristis (Dunker, 1872) P. natalensis (Jameson, 1901)
Primary Source	Outside the Tropic of Capricorn from East Africa to South Africa
Other geographical locations	Indo-Pacific Zone
P. nigra in pearls	Inferior and historically used in medicine and decoration

P. nigra pearls are rare and generally inferior. They were likely used historically used for material medica and inexpensive decoration. They are most often found in South Africa.