CHLAMYS VARIA

The species of scallops called “Chlamys varia”, can reach a maximum length of 9 cm and is widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean (from Norway to Senegal).

Its shell is:

1. inequilateral;
2. inequivalve, with the lower right valve being less convex than the left one;
3. rounded and slightly elongated;
4. with anterior auricles 2–3 times longer than the posterior ones. These auricles feature prominent radial ribs and a byssal notch with teeth. This is one of the peculiar characteristics of this species, as the teeth are more pronounced than in other scallops.

On both valves there are 20 to 34 well-defined radial ribs (significantly more than in most other species) interwoven with spines and spinose lamellae. The coloration varies depending on environmental factors, ranging from white to red, reddish-brown to yellow, orange and even purple.

The ideal habitat for Chlamys varia consists of sandy and muddy seabeds, where it anchors itself to rocks using byssal threads it produces.

The nutritional values of this species are:

1. Protein: 12.0 g
2. Carbohydrates: 2.9 g
3. Fat: 0.6 g

This provides a total of approximately 70 kcal per 100 grams.