Order

Pectinida

  Class

Bivalvia

  No. of Genera in Ref.

  No. of Species in Ref.

  Environment

Fresh : No | Brackish : Yes | Marine : Yes

  Aquarium

  First Fossil Record

     

  Remark

To about 11 cm. Marine and brackish waters; benthic (Ref. 94508). Shell more or less inequivalve, ovate to subcircular with a straight dorsal margin forming wing-like ears. A byssal notch and ctenolium at right valve. Ligament internal, in a small trigonal pit pointing under the umbones. Hinge without teeth. A single adductor muscle scar. Pallial line without a sinus. Well represented in the warm, tropical to subtropical shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific, either by byssally attached species living among corals, and by free living species capable of swimming by clapping the valves together, particularly as an escape from predators. Pectinidae are actively exploited within Western Central Pacific area. A few species represent important commercial species in the scallop market which is characterized by an increasing demand (Ref. 348).

  Etymology

  Division

  Reproductive guild

  Typical activity level

  Main Ref.

  Coordinator