Pectinidae - worldwideconchology.com

Scallop Shells in the Family PECTINIDAE and the closely related PROPEAMUSSIIDAE, Glass Scallops, are both classified in the Superfamily PECTINOIDEA. Scallop shells in both Families are generically referred to by collectors as "Pectens".

SCALLOPS IN HISTORY: Scallop shells have been a pervasive symbol throughout history; the scallop is most commonly associated with herldry. Family insignias or crests often were adorned with scallops and the adornment of armorial ensigns during the Middle Ages. In more recent years companies like the Shell Oil Corporation have branded their business around the scallop shell; appropriately so since the company got its start in 1833 as an import/export business with one of its commodities being seashells. The beauty and variability of Pectens have inspired artists for centuries. The scallop appears as a centerpiece or background image in many famous paintings by the great masters and continues to be found in the art of todays post-modern painters.

Pectens are extremely popular with shell collectors due in large part to the extreme variability in color, pattern, and form. A large array of Pectens exhibiting a range of colors and patterns can be a stunning and aesthetically pleasing display.

ECOLOGY: The Pectens, are bivalve mollusks that have been a major source of food bounty for as long as man has fished the oceans. The Pectens inhabit shallow and intertidal marine environments to as deep as a few hundred fathoms of water. The Pectens are the mainstay of many fishing fleets around the world.

LITERATURE: Though most information about Pectens are scattered through out a wide variety of popular and scientific publications, one poular book is very useful as an introduction to the beauty and diversity of these shells -- Guidebook To Pecten Shells, Recent Pectinidae And Propeamussiidae Of The World by A. Rombouts (Universal Book Services/Dr. W. Backhuys, 1991). Though some advanced conchologists disagree with some of the nomenclature used in the book, it is still a very important first reference when identifying the Pectens.

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	Scallop Shells in the Family PECTINIDAE and the closely related PROPEAMUSSIIDAE, Glass Scallops, are both classified in the Superfamily PECTINOIDEA. Scallop shells in both Families are generically referred to by collectors as "Pectens". SCALLOPS IN HISTORY: Scallop shells have been a pervasive symbol throughout history; the scallop is most commonly associated with herldry. Family insignias or crests often were adorned with scallops and the adornment of armorial ensigns during the Middle Ages. In more recent years companies like the Shell Oil Corporation have branded their business around the scallop shell; appropriately so since the company got its start in 1833 as an import/export business with one of its commodities being seashells. The beauty and variability of Pectens have inspired artists for centuries. The scallop appears as a centerpiece or background image in many famous paintings by the great masters and continues to be found in the art of todays post-modern painters. Pectens are extremely popular with shell collectors due in large part to the extreme variability in color, pattern, and form. A large array of Pectens exhibiting a range of colors and patterns can be a stunning and aesthetically pleasing display. ECOLOGY: The Pectens, are bivalve mollusks that have been a major source of food bounty for as long as man has fished the oceans. The Pectens inhabit shallow and intertidal marine environments to as deep as a few hundred fathoms of water. The Pectens are the mainstay of many fishing fleets around the world. LITERATURE: Though most information about Pectens are scattered through out a wide variety of popular and scientific publications, one poular book is very useful as an introduction to the beauty and diversity of these shells -- Guidebook To Pecten Shells, Recent Pectinidae And Propeamussiidae Of The World by A. Rombouts (Universal Book Services/Dr. W. Backhuys, 1991). Though some advanced conchologists disagree with some of the nomenclature used in the book, it is still a very important first reference when identifying the Pectens. [This page is a work-in-progress]	QUICK LIST OF PECTINIDAE ON THIS PAGE Show List Hide List Move Quick List box with mouse-pointer PECTINIDAE PICTURE & TAXONOMIC LINKS SEARCH BOX SEARCH worldwideconchology.com Search worldwideconchology.com - Enter search word. Avoid using the word "shell" - e.g., use Cone instead of Cone shell. * * * GOOGLE PECTINIDAE ON THE INTERNET
SELECTED PECTINIDAE LITERATURE