Shellfish
Shellfish are aquatic invertebrates with shells or shell-like coverings, especially mollusks and crustaceans. Many species are harvested for food.
Mollusk: An invertebrate animal in the phylum Mollusca, often with a muscular foot, mantle, and shell. Clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and many other shellfish are mollusks.
Aquaculture: The farming of aquatic organisms in freshwater, brackish water, or marine environments. Farms cultivate oysters, mussels, clams, and other shellfish for food.
Biomineralization: The process by which organisms produce minerals that form structures such as shells, bones, or teeth. Many mollusks build shells by depositing calcium carbonate through their mantle.
Ecosystem engineer: An organism that creates, modifies, or maintains habitat through its physical activities. Oysters and mussels can form reefs or beds that shelter other species.
Crustacean: An arthropod with a segmented body, jointed limbs, and a hard exoskeleton. Shrimp, crabs, and lobsters are shellfish with crustacean anatomy.
Shellfish fishery: The harvesting and management of shellfish populations for commercial or subsistence use. Wild shellfish harvest depends on species, habitat, season, and local rules.
Filter feeding: A feeding method that removes suspended particles from water by passing it through filtering structures. Bivalve shellfish capture plankton and organic particles as water moves through their bodies.
Oyster reef: A dense aggregation of oysters that forms complex habitat on a hard substrate. Oyster shellfish create reefs that support biodiversity and reduce wave energy.
Exoskeleton: A rigid external covering that supports and protects an animal's body. Crustacean shellfish rely on an exoskeleton that must be shed for growth.
Oyster farming: The cultivation of oysters for food, restoration, or both. Oyster farming is a major form of shellfish aquaculture.