Chlamys varia

Chlamys varia
Variability of the shells of Chlamys varia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Ostreoida
Family:	Pectinidae
Genus:	Chlamys
Species:	C. varia
Binomial name
Chlamys varia Linnaeus, 1758

Chlamys varia, common name the variegated scallop, is a species of small scallop, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Pectinidae, the scallops.

Distribution

This species of scallop lives in the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Red Sea.

Habitat

Chlamys varia is a shallow-living species, living up to about 100m in depth along coastal rocky areas.

Shell description

The shell of Chlamys varia ranges in color. It can be white, pink, red, orange, yellow, or purple. Both valves are symmetrical except for the ears on either side of the umbos. The shell does not usually exceed 6 cm in length.

Gallery

• 
  Left valve of Chlamys varia
• 
  Right and left valves of the yellow variety
• 
  Three beachworn valves of Chlamys varia from Wales
• 
  Right and left valves of the brown variety

References

• Oakley, J.A., 2007. Chlamys varia. Variegated scallop. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.