Pinna [Pinna]

Description

Pinna is a well-known genus within the Pinnidae family, which includes the true pen shells. These marine bivalves have large, elongated, and triangular shells that can grow quite large, making them among the biggest bivalve species. They anchor themselves in sandy or muddy sea floors of coastal waters using a byssus, a bundle of strong, silky fibers produced by the mollusk. Pinna shells are also notable for their role in the creation of sea silk, a rare and valuable textile produced from the byssus of certain species.

Species

Giant pen shell [Pinna nobilis]

View Details

Stiff pen shell [Pinna carnea]

View Details

Amber pen shell [Pinna bicolor]

View Details

Rough pen shell [Pinna rudis]

View Details

Taxonomy