Aequipecten opercularis

Queen scallop
Aequipecten opercularis
Aequipecten opercularis, Oban, Scotland, Photo: Graham Edgar
Aequipecten opercularis
Aequipecten opercularis, Oban, Scotland, Photo: Graham Edgar
Aequipecten opercularis
Aequipecten opercularis, Oban, Scotland, Photo: Graham Edgar
1 / 3
Aequipecten opercularis
Aequipecten opercularis
Aequipecten opercularis

Distribution


Description

Both valves of the shell are convex, each with conspicuous projections. Shell is variable in colour but often light pink, brown, orange, or yellow, with bands or zigzags of variable shades. Shell margins are strongly crenulate, with approximately 20 bold ridges - although often overgrown with encrusting sponge.


Information

Max Size: 11 cm

Sea Temperature Range: -0.7-15.9°C

Depth: N/A

Habitat Generalization Index: N/A

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Widespread (62.5% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Several (6 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.