Peruvian calico scallop (Argopecten purpuratus)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from SeaLifeBase, occurrence map from GBIF.
Peruvian calico scallop (Argopecten purpuratus) is a marine species in the family Pectinidae (Mollusca › Bivalvia › Pectinida), recorded in the World Register of Marine Species as Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck, 1819) under AphiaID 394269.
- Scientific name
- Argopecten purpuratus
- Authority
- (Lamarck, 1819)
- Family
- Pectinidae
- Order
- Pectinida
- Maximum length
- 12 cm
- Depth range
- 0–500 m
- Habitat zone
- benthic
- Gbif occurrence records
- 477
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Mollusca · Class: Bivalvia · Order: Pectinida · Family: Pectinidae · Genus: Argopecten.
Accepted name: Argopecten purpuratus · Authority: (Lamarck, 1819) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 394269.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Pecten purpuratus Lamarck, 1819; Pecten rudis G. B. Sowerby I, 1846.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=394269 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)
Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Argopecten purpuratus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 12 cm · Depth range: 0–500 m · Habitat zone: benthic · Vulnerability index: 19.2 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial.
SeaLifeBase notes: Found in shallow bays (Ref. 106891). Inhabits sedimentary grounds in sheltered areas at depths from 5 to 40 m (Ref. 106862).
Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 83691) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Argopecten-purpuratus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
477 georeferenced occurrence records for Argopecten purpuratus are published through GBIF from 9 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 23 distinct locations from a sample of 477 records, omitting 113 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Peru (172); Chile (145); United States of America (129); Argentina (13); Mexico (7); Ecuador (4); Panama (4); Namibia (2); Costa Rica (1).
Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Swakopmund.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 4373982) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=4373982&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=394269 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.
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