Pecten maximus (Linnaeus, 1758)Pectinoidea : Pectinidae
Inequivalve, lower right valve concave, upper left valve flat.
Equilateral, ears equal.
Subcircular, ears large, together equal in length to half total length.
Byssal notch slight, ctenolium absent.
Sculpture: Of 14-17 broad radiating ribs, on LV these rounded and distinctly striated by radial grooves, on LV ribs flattened with weak radial striation. Ears with few, weak radial, riblets. Margin: Crenulated. Colour: Upper valve reddish brown, lower valve dirty, creamy white.
Distribution & Ecology
Free living sitting on the surface of bottoms of sand to fine gravel. From the sublittoral to mid shelf depths.
Widespread from northern Norway to Iberian Peninsula.
Continental Shelf (to 200m)
Juveniles & Similar Species
Key Features & Similar Species
Listed are literature citing Pecten maximus (Linnaeus, 1758). Reference containing the species Type Description is highlighted.
Dijkstra H.H. 1999. Type specimens of the Pectinidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) described by Linnaeus (1758-1771). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 125: 383-443.
Linnaeus C 1758. Systema Naturae. Editio decima. 1. Regnum Animale Holmiae, Laurentii Salvii. 824pp.
Wagner H.P. 1991. Review of the European Pectinidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia). Vita Marina. 41 (1): 3-48.
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