|
Crassadoma gigantea (Purple hinged rock scallop)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
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.
Crassadoma
gigantea was previously known as Hinnites giganteus .
It is also commonly called the giant rock scallop.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/6/05.
|
