Abstract

In the luminous world of pearl cultivation, the silver-lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima) shines not only for its prized gems but also for its fascinating biology. As the largest and most commercially valuable pearl-producing species, P. maxima is a sequential hermaphrodite—transitioning from male to female throughout its life. Decoding the molecular mechanisms behind this sex change is essential for optimizing breeding strategies and enhancing pearl yields in aquaculture.