ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP

A highly valued species is the American scallop, known as Placopecten Magellanicus. It can reach a maximum length of 20 cm and has a circular, compressed shell with two very sturdy valves. These can be distinguished by the fact that the lower right valve is more convex than the left one.

Each valve has two nearly identical lateral extensions, with the umbo positioned centrally. On the outer surface of the valves, multiple fine radial ribs can be observed, more prominent on the left valve.

The external coloration tends toward yellow and red on the left valve, while the right valve shows white and gray tones. Occasionally, purplish hues may appear. The interior is white.

As the name suggests, this species is mostly found in the Western Atlantic, from Canada (Labrador) to Cape Hatteras (North Carolina). An interesting fact about the American scallop is that many years ago, several specimens were thrown overboard by Canadian ships and some were later found in Sicily.