Solving a query that has been a mystery for over a century and a half
News > 05 JUN 2025
Oyster Taxonomy: New Research Reveals Hidden Diversity in Indo-Pacific Reefs
Curtin University scientists Sherralee Lukehurst and Adjunct Professor Fred Wells have recently put together an international team to solve a question about the identity of a Western Australian oyster species that has remained taken a 176 years to answer.
In a recent study on Saccostrea oysters, the team paired shell morphology with genetic data (16S and COX1 markers) to untangle long standing confusion between S. scyphophilla and S. mordax.
The results confirm they are distinct species, an important step for biodiversity research, conservation and sustainable marine management.
A standout finding: the study documents a tropical oyster reef at Point Quobba (Western Australia) built by S. scyphophilla, the first recorded reef of its kind for this species.
More broadly, it’s a great example of how combining genomics with traditional taxonomy can sharpen our understanding of species relationships.
This research provides a strong platform for future work on Saccostrea diversity and the reef ecosystems these oysters help sustain.
