Answers
Stumper #45
1. What is the common name given to nacre, the calcareous deposit that is found in the shells of mussels and that forms the basis an oyster's pearl?
2. How many perfect, natural pearls might be found in a ton of harvested oysters?
3. In which century was the pearl culturing process we've described here patented?
Answer: Mother of Pearl
2. How many perfect, natural pearls might be found in a ton of harvested oysters?
Answer: Typically, only one or two perfect natural pearls in a ton of oysters.
3. In which century was the pearl culturing process we've described here patented?
Answer: The end of the nineteenth century. Kokichi Mikimoto, developed and patented this mariculture process in Japan in 1896.
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Raw oysters are said to have aphrodisiac qualities but they carry with them the danger of infection with bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificu.
Oysters belongs to the taxonomic Order Mollusca (mollusks.) The order includes Snails (Gastropods), "sea slugs" (nudibranchia), Squids and Octopi (Cephalopods) as well as the Clam, oyster, mussel group (Bivalvia).
It is possible for an expert to tell the difference between a natural and a cultured pearl. One way is by X-ray. A natural pearl can be identified by its irregular or rough nucleus while a cultured one will be identified by the smooth, round nucleus that was inserted during the cultivation process.
Oyster biology:
These soft bodied, invertebrate aquatic animals are shellfish and have a mouth, an esophagus, a stomach, gonads, gills, kidney, a combination of liver and pancreas, anus, primitive sense organs, and chemo receptors Their typical habitat is in deepwater ocean lagoons but some are found in brackish waters.
Having both male and female sex organs, the pearl oyster is a hermaphrodite. Depending on its age and surrounding water conditions,the oyster's sex may change as it matures. There are generally equal numbers of males and females in a population of pearl oysters. The reproductive organs are functional only during the five months from October to February Twenty four days after fertilization the eggs have metamorphosed into a D-shaped larva. But out of a million fertilized eggs, only one in ten will reach maturity. The young stages become prey to many hungry predators. The black-lipped pearl oyster can live up to 30 years and weigh up to 5 kilos (11 pounds).
Pearl and Edible Oyster Taxonomy:
According to the Wikipedia article about pearls:
Before the beginning of the 20th Century, pearl hunting was the most common way of harvesting pearls. Divers manually pulled oysters from ocean floors and river bottoms and checked them individually for pearls. Not all natural oysters produce pearls, however. In fact, only three or four perfect pearls will be found in a haul of three tons.
In the farming of pearl oysters many factors affect the success rate, but of 100 oysters seeded only 20% or so survive to produce marketable pearls and typically only five will produce a high-quality round pearl.
Oysters belongs to the taxonomic Order Mollusca (mollusks.) The order includes Snails (Gastropods), "sea slugs" (nudibranchia), Squids and Octopi (Cephalopods) as well as the Clam, oyster, mussel group (Bivalvia).
It is possible for an expert to tell the difference between a natural and a cultured pearl. One way is by X-ray. A natural pearl can be identified by its irregular or rough nucleus while a cultured one will be identified by the smooth, round nucleus that was inserted during the cultivation process.
Oyster biology:
These soft bodied, invertebrate aquatic animals are shellfish and have a mouth, an esophagus, a stomach, gonads, gills, kidney, a combination of liver and pancreas, anus, primitive sense organs, and chemo receptors Their typical habitat is in deepwater ocean lagoons but some are found in brackish waters.
Having both male and female sex organs, the pearl oyster is a hermaphrodite. Depending on its age and surrounding water conditions,the oyster's sex may change as it matures. There are generally equal numbers of males and females in a population of pearl oysters. The reproductive organs are functional only during the five months from October to February Twenty four days after fertilization the eggs have metamorphosed into a D-shaped larva. But out of a million fertilized eggs, only one in ten will reach maturity. The young stages become prey to many hungry predators. The black-lipped pearl oyster can live up to 30 years and weigh up to 5 kilos (11 pounds).
Pearl and Edible Oyster Taxonomy:
| Classification | Pearl Oyster | Edible Oyster |
|
Class Subclass Order Family Genus Species |
Bivalvia Pteriomorphia Pterioida Pteriidae Pinctada P. margaritifera (Pacific pearl-oyster) |
Bivalvia Pteriomorphia Ostreoida Ostreidae Ostrea O. edulis (edible oyster) |
According to the Wikipedia article about pearls:
Before the beginning of the 20th Century, pearl hunting was the most common way of harvesting pearls. Divers manually pulled oysters from ocean floors and river bottoms and checked them individually for pearls. Not all natural oysters produce pearls, however. In fact, only three or four perfect pearls will be found in a haul of three tons.
In the farming of pearl oysters many factors affect the success rate, but of 100 oysters seeded only 20% or so survive to produce marketable pearls and typically only five will produce a high-quality round pearl.
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