Great Scallop
NameGreat Scallop
Scientific NamePecten maximus
Common NameGreat Scallop, King Scallop, Escallop
FamilyPectinidae
GenusPecten
Speciesmaximus
Geographic DistributionNortheast Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Norway south to the Iberian Peninsula, including the British Isles and the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitatsubtidal
Average Size (mm)Can grow up to 150-200 mm (15-20 cm) in diameter, with some specimens reaching larger sizes.
Identifying FeaturesLarge size, classic fan shape with strong, rounded radial ribs (typically 12-17), distinct auricles, and an inequivalve shell where the lower valve is convex and the upper valve is flatter. The ribs often have concentric growth lines.
Dietfilter-feeder
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Linnaeus, 1758)
Description
A large, fan-shaped bivalve shell, characterized by its prominent, broad, and rounded radial ribs. The shell is inequivalve, meaning one valve is more convex than the other. The illustration depicts a single valve, showcasing its distinctive ribbed structure and the presence of auricles (ears) near the hinge.
