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Project Noah Nature School
Pectinidae
Former home of a scallop.
Spotted at La Jolla Shores during low tide on rocks.
As a juvenile, this scallop is free swimming. When it reaches a diameter of about 1 inch, it permanently cements its right valve to rock or another hard surface. As the animal grows, the exterior of the thick valves become encrusted and overgrown with marine organisms and is often host to boring sponge. Although it is very slow growing, this scallop can live 50 years and reach a diameter of 10 inches. The mantle is orange with rows of blue eyes along the margins. The purple rock scallop inhabits water from the low intertidal zone to a depth of 260 feet. Look for it in crevices and under boulders in rocky areas. It is preyed on by the purple sea star ( Pisaster ochraceus ) and can be easily depleted by human harvesters.
http://www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/ezidweb...
Spotted on Nov 25, 2011
Submitted on Nov 27, 2011
