Atlantic calico scallop
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Genus: Argopectin |
The Atlantic Calico Scallop Argopectin gibbus grows up to three inches and is similar in shape and sculpturing to the Atlantic bay scallop. Both valves on the scallop are cupped and its hinge line has ears. It has about twenty radial ribs sometimes roughened by growth lines.
Exterior appeance of upper (left) valve has coloration of dark yellow or pink with striking combinations of red in stripes or blotches. The lower (right) valve is whitish with small reddish or purple spots. It has a white interior, often with brown patches on ears and top edge.
The habitat of the Atlantic calico scallop is only in the ocean, east of Cape Lookout and southwest of Beaufort Inlet and lives in up to 100-foot depths. It is commonly found on sound and ocean beaches.
This species ranges from Delaware to Brazil and is occasionally fished commercially as well as popular among tourists.
Valve color and shell morphometry distinguish calico scallops from related species. Atlantic calico is distinguished by the yellowish to white coloration and splotchy patches of bright red, maroon, or lavender. It is slightly convex in the left (upper) valve (Broom 1976). Two other scallops are documented to occur in the Indian River Lagoon and similar in size and shape. Bay scallop, (Argopecten irradians), generally has a uniform gray to gray-brown coloration with distinct convexity of the right (lower) valve and the Rough scallop, (Aequipecten muscosus), may also be mistaken for the Atlantic calico scallop. The rough scallop has unequal wings and sharp scales on lower surface of the ribs, and shell coloration ranging into shades of yellow and brown, which distinguishes notable difference.
