Atlantic Bay Scallop [Argopecten irradians]
Description
The Atlantic bay scallop is a small, bivalve mollusk found in the western Atlantic Ocean from New England to the Gulf of Mexico. It is known for its fan-shaped shell, which is usually 3 inches wide and has 16-22 ribs. The two halves of the shell are different colors: the left is usually purplish-brown, while the right is typically lighter. The scallop has a series of bright blue eyes along the edge of its mantle, which detect changes in light and movement. It is a free-swimming species, using a form of jet propulsion to move through the water. It primarily inhabits seagrass beds and feeds on microscopic plants.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Clams, Oysters, and Scallops
Bivalvia
|
| Order |
Scallops
Pectinida
|
| Family |
Scallops
Pectinidae
|
| Genus |
Atlantic Bay Scallop
Argopecten
|