Lion's Paw Scallop (Alternative names: Nodipecten)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Bivalvia, Order: Pectinida, Family: Pectinidae, Genus: Nodipecten, Species: Nodipecten nodosus · Pectinidae (Scallop family) · Bivalve (two-shelled), fragment/juvenile whole shell, fan-shaped disc
Species
Nodipecten nodosus
Shell Type
Bivalve (two-shelled), fragment/juvenile whole shell, fan-shaped disc
Family
Pectinidae (Scallop family)
Size
Approximately 1 inch across, which is small for this species as adults typically range from 3 to 6 inches.
Color & Pattern
Vibrant coral-pink and reddish-orange hues mixed with creamy white. The coloration is natural, showing bright contrasting tones on the radial ribs.
Rarity
Common (though whole, pristine adult specimens are more prized, small or fragmented pieces like this are found with some searching).
Habitat
Found in shallow subtidal waters to moderate depths, attached by byssus threads or living unattached on sandy, shelly, or coral rubble substrates in marine environments.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from North Carolina through the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, down to Brazil.
Description
A charming, fan-shaped bivalve fragment featuring prominent, rounded radial ribs and characteristic nodular swellings. The texture is rough and sculpted, displaying a bright coral-pink coloration interwoven with white highlights along the margin.
Key Features
Prominent radial ribs with distinct raised knobs or nodes along the ridges, asymmetrical auricles (ears) at the hinge, and a fan-shaped valve profile.
Collector Value
While large, pristine adult Lion's Paw shells command high prices among collectors, small fragments or juvenile specimens hold mostly sentimental or educational value rather than significant monetary worth.
Condition Notes
This appears to be a smaller specimen or valve fragment showing some natural wear along the edges. Colors remain bright and unfaded. Collectibility grade is Good for a beach-found piece.
Interesting Facts
Scallops are among the few bivalves that can actively swim by rapidly clapping their valves together to eject water, and they possess dozens of simple bright blue eyes along the mantle edge.
Ecological Role
Scallops act as active filter feeders, helping to clear particulate matter from the water column. They serve as a vital food source for numerous marine predators including rays, sea stars, and carnivorous gastropods.
Similar Species
Atlantic Calico Scallop (Argopecten gibbus) and Rough Scallop (Aequipecten muscosus), which lack the distinct heavy nodes on the ribs characteristic of Nodipecten.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along high-tide wrack lines on Caribbean or southern Atlantic-facing beaches, especially after storms or rough seas that churn up offshore substrates.