enigma oyster (enigmoia aenigmatica)

CONTENTS

Fauna index

Molluscs

Peter K L Ng and N Sivasothi (editors)

Enigma oyster
Enigmoia aenigmatica
Family Anomiidae

This strange bivalve lies on its right side and adhers to surfaces of mangrove leaves, tree tunks, breathing roots and other hard substrates via a byssus pad.

However, as juveniles they are able to detach and re-attach themselves, thus allowing for migration from one place to another during high tide by crawling and passive drifting.

Two colour morphs can be recognised, a dark-purplish form and a yellowish-golden form.

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The two colour morphs of
E. aenigmatica on
Avicennia leaves

Right valve of E. aenigmatica
showing the deep byssus notch
through which a byssus pad
passes to attach the animal
to the substrate

What is mangrove?
Introduction

The Ecosystem
Abiotic
Biotic

Value
Intro
Products
Indirect uses
Potential uses

About Mangroves
in Singapore
History
Mangroves to visit
Conservation

From "A Guide to Mangroves of Singapore", Peter K. L. Ng and N. Sivasothi (editors)
Volume 1: The Ecosystem and Plant Diversity and Volume 2: Animal Diversity
Authors: Kelvin K. P. Lim, Dennis H. Murphy, T. Morgany, N. Sivasothi, Peter K. L. Ng,
B. C. Soong, Hugh T. W. Tan, K. S. Tan & T. K. Tan
BP Guide to Nature Series published by the Singapore Science Centre, sponsored by British Petroleum
© 2001 Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, The National University of Singapore & The Singapore Science Centre