silver-lipped pearl oyster; golden-lipped pearl oyster; white-lipped pearl oyster
Refers to the large pearl oyster Pinctada maxima, known for producing high-quality pearls. Often encountered in contexts related to pearl cultivation or marine biology.
See also: シロチョウガイ
The silver-lipped pearl oyster is known as the mother shell of South Sea pearls.
silver-lipped pearl oyster; golden-lipped pearl oyster; white-lipped pearl oyster
black-lip pearl oyster
Standard kanji spelling for this pearl oyster species.
Compound of 蝶 (butterfly) and 貝 (shellfish), likely from the shell's wing-like shape. The exact derivation is uncertain.