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Scallops
can rapidly propel themselves through the water by shutting and
opening their shell valves. They have unusual life stages depending
on the species, they often change their sex throughout their life;
and in the earlier stages can be sessile attaching themselves with
byssal threads. There are a number of species found in Cornwall
however it is not always easy to identify the species from one another.
Often the ears are important in determining species, however these
are not often present on shells found thrown up on the beach, as
they are the first part of the shell to be eroded. |
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| Great
Scallop Pecten maximus
Great
scallops can be large shells growing up to 6 inches across. The
left valve is flat while the right is convex. The latter are commonly
sold as ash trays. The heavily ridged shell comes in reddish browns,
the convex valve is often lighter in colour and can even be white.
This mollusc is commercially fished which has led to a decline
in their number. A deep water species, but the shells are commonly
thrown ashore.
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| Queen
Scallop Aequipecten opercularis
The
Queen Scallop is difficult to tell apart from Pecten maximus, if
only one shell is found. However if both shells are found together
it can be easily identified as both it shells are convex, the left
vave being more so. It is a deep water species which is commercially
fished, but it can be found on the shore. The shell reaches up to
3 and a half inches. It is very variable in colour, white, yellow,
red, brown or even striped.
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| Variegated
Scallop Chlamys varie
A
relativelely small scallop reaching over 2 inches. The shell colour
is highly variable including pink, yellow, white, purple, red, brown
or
orange. The ears are strongly assymetrical with one ear being noticeably
large. They are a deep sea species but can be found on the shore.
They may be found attached by byssal threads.
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