Scallop - Palliolum tigerinum

Characteristics:

This is a thin, circular shell with a maximum diameter of 32 mm. The two similar shaped valves are sometimes semitransparent near the margins. Very fine concentric, radiating lines are hardly visible without a lens. The two ears on the beak are of very different size. It may be confused with the similar Palliolum striatum, which have more prominent lines with visible spines on the left (top) valve. The color is very variable, from off-white to reddish-brown with bands or irregular blotches. The left valve has usually more vivid colors than the right.

Habitat:

P. tigerinum can be found from subtidal depths to 100 meters. It seems to thrive on locations with coarse gravel. It can often found under stones and in crevices.

Distribution:

This scallop is widespread in the European parts of the Atlantic Ocean, from Norway and the British Isles to the north-west coast of Africa.