Pinctada radiata tropical oyster expands in Spanish Mediterranean

The tropical pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata, is expanding its presence within the Spanish Mediterranean. Originally from the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific, the species entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal and is classified as a Lessepsian migrant.

Scientific research involving an international network of 1,014 larval collectors across eight Mediterranean countries has tracked this movement between 2015 and 2024. Findings published in Marine Environmental Research indicate that the Balearic Islands show the strongest evidence of local reproduction. Additionally, live specimens and recruits were identified in the Mar Menor in 2023, supporting the hypothesis of established local populations. While shells have been found in areas such as Almería and Málaga, evidence of active reproduction in those specific locations remains less definitive.