oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

Crassostrea virginica, commonly known as the Eastern oyster, is a bivalve mollusk found along the Atlantic coast of North America. It has a rough, irregular shell and filters water to feed on plankton and tiny particles. Oysters play a vital role in their ecosystems by improving water quality and creating habitat for various marine species. They are also valuable commercially for their meat and pearls. Oysters grow in estuarine environments, where river and ocean waters mix, and their populations are sensitive to changes in water quality, temperature, and pollution.