BIRUG 19231 - Swiftopecten swiftii - Bivalve

3D Model

BIRUG 19231, a specimen of ‘Swift’s scallop’, was originally identified as ‘Pecten swifti ’ when it was donated to the museum. However, the species has since been moved to the genus Swiftopecten.

This species goes through a unique growth change during November and December, where the shells will increase in volume to prepare for the mating season. What is more interesting, during these months, is that sexual dimorphism (a physical difference between males and females of the same species) is present where the females will grow a larger bulge where the shells connect compared to males to accommodate for the ovary. The shells of this animal can vary from white, orange, pink to yellow. They are only found in the Japan Sea and can grow up to 20cm long.

This specimen was collected from Japan by Sowerby in 1906 and given to the Museum in 1916 by Sir George H. Holcroft. Scanning was performed by Sian Miller using an Artec Spider 3D scanner. Description by Jonathan Kimel.