Ostreoida Collection

Extinct marine reptiles
Sheet 1 of a series of posters called Extinct Animals by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins c. 1862. This collection of marine reptiles lived during the Jurassic period between 200

Rows of racks used in oyster farming at high tide, Isle de Re, Charente-Maritime, France, July 2017

Pecten sp. scallop
A fossil scallop from the Corallian Crag of Suffolk, England. Scallop shells are made up of two hinged plates and are a genus of bivalve mollusc

Five bivalve fossils
(Top) Chlamys fibrosa; (Centre left) Chlamys splendens; (Centre right) Perampliata ampliata; (Lower left) Mytilus ungulatus; (Lower right) Trigonia reticulata

European thorny oyster shells
Pair of painted thorny oyster (Spondylus pictorum) shells. This bivalve can be found offshore up to 50 metres in the Mediterranean and Red seas

European thorny oyster shells C016 / 6051
Pair of European thorny oyster (Spondylus gaederopus) shells

Painted thorny oyster shells C016 / 6058
Pair of painted thorny oyster (Spondylus pictorum) shells. This bivalve can be found offshore up to 50 metres in the Mediterranean and Red seas

Imperial thorny oyster shells C016 / 6061
Pair of imperial thorny oyster (Spondylus imperalis) shells. This bivalve can be found in the waters surrounding the Philippines

Oyster fossil C016 / 6001
Oyster (Gryphaea incurva) fossil. This specimen, also known as the Devils Toenail, is from Lower Lias in Gloucestershire, UK

Imperial thorny oyster shells C016 / 6050
Pair of imperial thorny oyster (Spondylus imperalis) shells. This bivalve can be found in the waters surrounding the Philippines

Painted thorny oyster shells C016 / 6056
Pair of painted thorny oyster (Spondylus pictorum) shells. This bivalve can be found offshore up to 50 metres in the Mediterranean and Red seas

Fossil scallop shell C016 / 5615
Fossil scallop (Chespecten jeffersonius) shell. This shell originated from the Miocene era, 23-7 million years ago and was found in Maryland, USA

Gryphaea incurva, oyster
Fossil oyster also known as the Devils Toenail, specimen from the Lower Lias, Gloucestershire

Spondylus imperialis, imperial thorny oyster
A pair of imperial thorny oysters (Spondylus imperalis) This bivalve can be found in the waters surrounding the Philippines

On the dredge
Common dredge as descibed by Professor Edward Forbes. Anatomical Manipulation, Tulk and Henfrey 1843

Spondylus pictorum, painted thorny oyster
A pair of painted thorny oysters (Spondylus pictorum). This bivalve can be found offshore up to 50 metres in the Mediterranean and Red seas

Spondylus gaederopus, European thorny oyster
A pair European thorny oysters (Spondylus gaederopus). This thorny bivalve is distributed around northwest coasts of Africa

Chespecten jeffersonius, scallop
Specimen of the scallop (Chespecten jeffersonius), this shell originated from the Miocene era, some 23-7 million years ago. Maryland, USA

Gloripallium pallium, glory scallop
Detail of shell ribs on the glory scallop shell (Gloripallium pallium)

Spodylus americanus, thorny oyster
Watercolour of a thorny oyster on blue paper by Sarah Stone (c. 1760-1844) from the collection of Sir Ashton Lever

Gryphaea arcuata Lamarck, fossil oysters
About 190 million years old, found in the Lias clays and limestones of the Jurassic period. Commonly called Devils Toenails

Spomdylus imperialis, imperial thorny oyster

Gryphaea dilatata, devils toenail
This giant hooked oyster also known as a devils toenail originates from Sowerby, Upper Jurassic, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England

Ostrea sp. oyster with pearls
Oysters are bivalve molluscs found on the sea bed. Pearls, are smooth, spherical objects which can form inside their shells. They are considered valuable and are farmed and used to make jewellery

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"Unveiling the Mysteries of Ostreoida: A Glimpse into the Ancient Marine Reptiles" Step back in time and explore the fascinating world of Ostreoida, a group of extinct marine reptiles that once roamed our oceans. These magnificent creatures, now only known through fossils, captivate our imagination with their enigmatic existence. As we wander along the shores of Isle de Re in Charente-Maritime, France, we stumble upon rows of racks used in oyster farming at high tide. Little do we know that beneath these shallow waters lie remnants of an ancient era - five bivalve fossils silently whispering tales from long ago. Amongst them are European thorny oyster shells; their intricate patterns and delicate beauty tell stories of resilience and adaptation. The painted thorny oyster shells stand out with vibrant hues, as if preserving a forgotten palette from centuries past. And there they are – imperial thorny oyster shells – majestic and regal, evoking images of a lost empire submerged beneath the waves. But it is not just these stunning shells that capture our attention; an oyster fossil emerges from its rocky tomb to remind us that life once thrived here. Its presence serves as a reminder that even amidst extinction, traces remain for us to discover. Moving on from thorny oysters, we encounter another relic - a fossil scallop shell belonging to Pecten sp. , showcasing nature's artistic touch through its symmetrical design. This scallop reminds us how life has evolved over millions of years while still retaining elements reminiscent of its ancestors. Ostreoida invites us to ponder about Earth's ever-changing landscapes and species' adaptations throughout history. It urges us to appreciate the diversity found within our planet's vast ecosystems both then and now. So let us delve deeper into this captivating realm where extinct marine reptiles once reigned supreme - Ostreoida, a testament to the wonders of our ancient world.