pecten

Pecten is a genus of bivalve mollusks in the family Pectinidae, commonly known as scallops. The members of this genus are marine pelecypods characterized by a pair of hinged, fan-shaped shells with radial ribs. The name derives from Latin pecten, meaning comb or crest, a reference to the ribbed shell margins.

All Pecten species are free-living to some degree; many are capable of short bursts of swimming by clapping their shells together. They have a large adductor muscle that powers the shell closure, and a mantle that borders the edges of the valves, where numerous simple eyes are arranged. The shells are typically laterally compressed and exhibit iridescent nacre on the inner surfaces.

They inhabit shallow to moderately deep seas worldwide, often on sandy or muddy substrates. They are suspension feeders, filtering plankton from the water. Reproduction generally involves broadcast spawning, with eggs and sperm released into the water column; the larvae are free-swimming veligers before settling as juveniles.

Several Pecten species are of commercial importance, particularly Pecten maximus, commonly known as the great or king scallop. The genus also has a rich fossil record and has been used in paleontological and biostratigraphic studies to help interpret marine deposits.