Argopecten irradians
Encyclopedia
Argopecten irradians, formerly classified as Aequipecten irradians, common name
s the "Atlantic bay scallop" or "bay scallop", is an edible species
of saltwater clam, a scallop
, a marine
bivalve mollusk in the family
Pectinidae
, the scallops.
of the USA, but since the 1950s the fishery of the wild scallops has decreased greatly. This decrease is apparently the result of several negative influences, one of which is a reduction in sea grasses (to which bay scallop spat attach) due to increased coastal development and concomitant nutrient runoff. Another possible factor is reduction of sharks from overfishing. A variety of sharks used to feed on rays
, which are a main predator of bay scallops. With the shark population reduced, in some places almost eliminated, the rays have been free to dine on scallops to the point of greatly decreasing their numbers.
By contrast, the Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus
) is at historically high levels of abundance, after recovery from overfishing.
Bay scallops are now raised in aquaculture
in Florida
. http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Argopecten_irradians_concentricus.htm They were introduced into China
for the 1980s and are the basis of a very vibrant aquaculture industry in that country http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/ab729e/AB729E01.htm
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
s the "Atlantic bay scallop" or "bay scallop", is an edible species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of saltwater clam, a scallop
Scallop
A scallop is a marine bivalve mollusk of the family Pectinidae. Scallops are a cosmopolitan family, found in all of the world's oceans. Many scallops are highly prized as a food source...
, a marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
bivalve mollusk in the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Pectinidae
Pectinidae
The Pectinidae are a family of bivalve mollusks including the scallop and closely related to the clam and oyster. They are hermaphrodite, and the male gonads mature first. Pectinidae can live attached by means of a filament they secrete, or are simply recumbent. Their valves can propel them...
, the scallops.
Bay scallop fishery
This species of scallop used to support a large fishery on the East CoastEast Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
of the USA, but since the 1950s the fishery of the wild scallops has decreased greatly. This decrease is apparently the result of several negative influences, one of which is a reduction in sea grasses (to which bay scallop spat attach) due to increased coastal development and concomitant nutrient runoff. Another possible factor is reduction of sharks from overfishing. A variety of sharks used to feed on rays
Batoidea
Batoidea is a superorder of cartilaginous fish commonly known as rays and skates, containing more than 500 described species in thirteen families...
, which are a main predator of bay scallops. With the shark population reduced, in some places almost eliminated, the rays have been free to dine on scallops to the point of greatly decreasing their numbers.
By contrast, the Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus
Placopecten magellanicus
Placopecten magellanicus, the Atlantic sea scallop, is a commercially important Pectinid bivalve mollusk native to the western Atlantic Ocean. -Description:...
) is at historically high levels of abundance, after recovery from overfishing.
Bay scallops are now raised in aquaculture
Aquaculture
Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Argopecten_irradians_concentricus.htm They were introduced into China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
for the 1980s and are the basis of a very vibrant aquaculture industry in that country http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/ab729e/AB729E01.htm
Subspecies
This species has 5 different subspecies: http://www.malacolog.org/search.php?mode=findsnail&genus=Argopecten&associatedname=&author=&year=&yearend=&Search=Search- Argopecten irradians amplicostatus (Dall, 1898) http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/scallop/
- Argopecten irradians concentricus (Say, 1822) http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Argopecten_irradians_concentricus.htm
- Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck, 1819) http://www.jaxshells.org/argopect.htm
- Argopecten irradians sablensis (Clarke, 1965) - a fossil subspecies
- Argopecten irradians taylorae Petuch, 1987 - the southern bay scallop http://www.jaxshells.org/stapr.htm