Mirapecten mirificus
NameMirapecten mirificus
Scientific NameMirapecten mirificus
Common NameNot widely established (sometimes referred to as Miraculous Scallop)
FamilyPectinidae
GenusMirapecten
Speciesmirificus
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific, particularly known from the Philippines and Indonesia.
Average Size (mm)Typically ranges from 20 to 50 mm in height.
Identifying FeaturesDistinguished by its vibrant orange-red coloration, strongly sculptured exterior with numerous prominent, often spiny or nodulose radial ribs, and its characteristic fan shape. The presence of white, sometimes tubular, structures on the exterior ribs (as seen in the image) can also be a feature, though these might be epibionts or part of the shell's ornamentation.
Dietfilter-feeder
Rarityrare
Author CitationReeve, 1853
Description
A small, highly ornate scallop shell, typically fan-shaped with prominent, often spiny or nodulose, radial ribs. The exterior displays a vibrant orange-red to reddish-brown coloration, frequently interspersed with white or lighter patches, particularly on the ribs. The interior surface is glossy, reflecting similar hues, often with a lighter, sometimes yellowish or white, central area. The shell margins are distinctly crenulated, corresponding to the radial ribbing.
