Queen Scallop

Overview

The Queen scallop (Aequipecten opercularis) is a medium-sized, active bivalve mollusk known for its ability to swim freely by clapping its valves together. It is a commercially important species found throughout the northeast Atlantic, ranging from the waters of Norway down to the Mediterranean and the Canary Isles.

Appearance

This scallop features a thin, brittle, and rounded shell that is highly variable in color, often displaying shades of pink, brown, orange, or yellow with intricate patterns of bands, rays, or zigzags. Both valves are convex, though the left is typically slightly more rounded than the right. Each valve is marked by approximately 20 distinct radiating ridges and features "ears" (auricles) near the hinge that are nearly equal in size. A notable feature in living specimens is the presence of bright blue eyes along the mantle edge, which help the scallop detect light and movement.

Distribution & Habitat

Queen scallops are commonly found on sandy or gravelly seabeds, often occurring in high densities. While they can be found in shallow waters near the tide line, they are more frequently encountered in subtidal zones at depths reaching 100 meters or more. They are also known to inhabit beds of horse mussels and maerl, which provide important shelter for younger individuals.

Biology & Behavior

Unlike many other bivalves, the Queen scallop is a highly mobile species. While juveniles remain anchored to hard substrates using byssal threads, adults are free-living and move by jet propulsion, rapidly opening and closing their shells to swim. They are filter feeders that consume a diet of plankton, including both phytoplankton and zooplankton, using specialized cilia to move food particles toward their mouths.