Description: This small scallop only reaches up to 30 mm in size and has a thin, but strong shell. The ears are uneven, with the anterior ear at least 3 times larger than the posterior ear. Colour can vary but usually in shades of red, purple or brown. Sometimes mottled, blotched or rayed with cream, yellow or brown. Shell is smooth to finely ribbed, of which there can be up to 50.

Habitat: Coarse sandy mud, gravel or stones. Found from low intertidal down to around 100 m.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Palliolum incomparable or Palliolum striatum.

Key Identification Features:

• Up to 30 mm with a thin but string shell.
• Usually shades of red, brown or purple.
• Smooth to finely ribbed with up to 50 ribs.

Distribution Map from NBN: Palliolum tigerinum at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Palliolum tigerinum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Palliolum tigerinum

WoRMS: Palliolum tigerinum at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Palliolum tigerinum (O. F. Müller, 1776). AphiaID: 140710.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Pteriomorphia; Pectinida; Pectinoidea; Pectinidae; Palliolinae; Palliolini; Palliolum