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pétoncle

variegated scallop

Mimachlamys varia (Linnaeus, 1758), Variegated Scallop, left valve; height 3.6 cm; Originating from the Adriatic Sea, Italy; Shell of own collection, therefore not geocoded.

A pétoncle (it comes from the Latin for ‘comb’) looks like a small coquille saint jacques. The most common one in France is the pétoncle noir (Mimachlamys varia), associated with the pilgrimage to Mont St-Michel, inspired by the scallop symbol of Compostela. Most are found off Brest and Arcachon.

Fish and seafood

Text © Dana Facaros

Image by H. Zell