Scallop
Name applied to numerous species of saltwater clams or marine bivalve mollusks in the Pectinidae family, the scallops. The common name scallop is also applied to species in other families of the superfamily Pectinoidea, including the thorny oysters. / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A scallop is a marine bivalve mollusc of the family Pectinidae. Scallops live in all the world's oceans.
Quick Facts Pectinoidea Pectinidae, Scientific classification ...
Pectinoidea Pectinidae | |
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Superfamily: | Pectinoidea |
Family: | Pectinidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
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This is one of the largest families of living bivalves. There are over 300 living species of scallop.[1] Their main adaptation is the ability to swim by clapping their valves together. In this way they escape from most of their predators.[2]
They have a good reputation as a food source.[3] As bivalves they have one hinged shell; each half is known as a valve. The lower valve is usually white (about 95%). It can also be orange (4%) or Lemon Yellow (1%).[3]
The name "scallop" comes from the Old French escalope, which means "shell".[4] Their shells can be up to 15 centimetres (6 inches) across.[1]