There are several species of scallops on the west coast, and all are subtidal.  Species most commonly encountered by SCUBA-divers are the spiny and smooth species of Chlamys, the permanently attached giant rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea, and (occasionally) the deeper-dwelling giant weathervane scallop Patinopecten caurinus.  All 3 motile species have been overfished and are becoming rare, but markets are developing for cultured scallops, particularly the spiny scallop Chlamys hastata. 

NOTE  the word “scallop” derives from the Old French “escalope”.  Earliest listings in English literature are references in the 1400’s to “scalop fysches”
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ANIMATION of snail meeting SCALLOP
© 2010 Thomas Carefoot

To learn about west-coast SCALLOPS: select a topic from the scallop menu at the top of the page

OR: play the ANIMATION of the snail meeting the SCALLOP

OR, if you want to see other animations: follow the snail on its ODYSSEY by CLICKING on any X-marked invertebrate on the map

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Phylum Mollusca (lit. “soft” or “shellfish” L.)

Class Bivalvia (lit. “two folding doors” L.), referring to the two parts of a clam or scallop shell joined by a flexible hinge

SubClass Pteriomorpha (lit. “wing form” G.), including bivalves that attach by byssus threads or cementation

Order Pectinoida, containing scallops (Family Pectinidae) and rock jingles (F. Anomiidae)
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