Propeamussium

Propeamussium is a genus of marine bivalve mollusks belonging to the family Pectinidae, commonly known as scallops. These mollusks are found worldwide, from shallow intertidal zones to deep ocean waters.1

Unlike most bivalves that filter feed on microscopic organisms, scallops in the genus Propeamussium have a unique feeding strategy. Their ctenidia (gills) are atypical and incapable of filtering. Instead, they capture prey by sucking it into their mantle cavity when their valves open. The captured food is then moved to the mouth using their foot.2

Scallop shells are typically fan-shaped with winglike projections near the hinge. They vary in size and can be smooth or ribbed, with colors ranging from red and purple to white. Scallops possess a large adductor muscle to close their shells and have tentacles and eyes along the edge of their mantle. They are also known for their ability to swim by rapidly clapping their valves together.1