ULTRASTRUCTURAL MORPHOGENESIS OF PECTINID SPAT FROM THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN - A WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE 7 GENERA

Eight scallop species were identified from collectors placed at three depths in the western Mediterranean. The morphological characteristics of the eight small spat species were described. The classification of the scallop spat settled on collectors was made according to their sh ell contour, number of ribs, auricle lengths, sculpture of the preradi al stage in the left valve, hinge length, and height of the prismatic stage on the right valve. Seven genera were identified: Palliolum, Pse udamussium, Mimachlamys, Aequipecten, Perapecten, Flexopecten, and Pec ten.