Mollusca
Scallops
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There are several species of scallops on the west coast of North America, 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 three 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”, so people knew about them and presumably ate them

   

ANIMATION of the snail's odyssey © Thomas Carefoot 2026
map used by the snail in A SNAIL'S ODYSSEY

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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)