The Ostreidae Family includes 76 species comprising 5 subfamilies (Ostreinae (10 genus), Crassostreinae (3), Striostreinae (1), Saccostreinae (1), Ostreidae incertae sedis (1))
and 16 genus (Ostrea (20 species), Magallana (13), Saccostrea (12), Dendostrea (8), Crassostrea (7), Talonostrea (3), ...)

Phylum      : Mollusca
 Class       : ⤷Bivalvia 
  Subclass    : ⤷Autobranchia 
   Infraclass  : ⤷Pteriomorphia 
    Order       : ⤷Ostreida 
     Superfamily : ⤷Ostreoidea 
      Family      : ⤷Ostreidae

Common name : true oysters

Aspect : irregular, highly asymmetrical; one valve (usually the left) is cemented to substrate (cementing valve, deeper/cupped); the upper (right) valve is flatter and acts as a lid; inequivalve (left usually larger and more concave), inequilateral (umbo not central); rough, ridged, or fluted external surface

Feeding : filtration of microorganisms in suspension (phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus, and organic particles)

Environment : thrive in coastal marine and estuarine environments; intertidal to shallow subtidal (0–70 m, most abundant <10 m); cemented to hard substrates (rocks, shells, man-made structures, mangrove roots); in areas with moderate flow are ideal (too little flow → low food availability; too much flow → risk of dislodgement)