Oyster Parasite Acts as Natural Timepiece (IMAGE)

Florida Museum of Natural History

Oyster Parasite Acts as Natural Timepiece

Caption

The impressed odostome, Boonea impressa, is a tiny marine snail that parasitizes oysters by perching atop and piercing their shells and sucking their insides. Because the snails have a predictable 12-month life cycle, their length can record the time of death of their oyster host, allowing researchers to date ancient oyster harvesting.

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Kristen Grace/Florida Museum

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Please credit Kristen Grace/Florida Museum

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