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BACKGROUND: The quality of surimi‐based products can be improved by combining the flesh of different aquatic organisms. The present study investigated the effects of incorporating diverse ratios of unwashed silver carp (H) and scallop (A) and using various thermal treatments on the moisture, texture, microstructure, and conformation of the blended gels and myofibrillar protein of surimi. RESULTS: A mixture ratio of A:H = 1:3 yielded the highest gel strength, which was 60.4% higher than that of scallop gel. The cooking losses of high‐pressure heating and water‐bath microwaving were significantly higher than those of other methods (P < 0.05). Moreover, the two‐step water bath and water‐bath microwaving samples exhibited a more regular spatial network structure compared to other samples. The mixed samples exhibited a microstructure with a uniform and ordered spatial network, allowing more free water to be trapped by the internal structure, resulting in more favorable gel properties. The thermal treatments comprehensively modified the tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins in unwashed mixed gel promoted protein unfurling, provided more hydrophobic interactions, enhanced protein aggregation and improved the gel performance. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study improve our understanding of the interactions between proteins from different sources. We propose a new method for modifying surimi's gel properties, facilitating the development of mixed surimi products, as well as enhancing the efficient utilization of aquatic resources. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seafood is one of the most important sources of nutrients. However, they have a short shelf-life and the traditional preservation methods may generate losses in their natural flavour and nutrients. Thisstudy evaluated and optimize the High Pressure Processing (HPP) regarding pressure level (200--400 MPa) and holding time (0--5 min) applied to lion's paw scallop (Nodipecten nodosus) to reduce microbial contamination while maintaining desirable characteristics. Response surface methodology with a Box-Behnken design and Desirability function were employed to simultaneously optimize these quality attributes. HPP enhanced microbial quality at 200 MPa/5 min, despite promoting inadequate physical-chemical modifications in the adductor muscle of the scallop. In such processing condition, in spite of a slight increase in muscle humidity which could be of benefit, pH increase was also verified, as well as a decrease in water holding capacity (WHC). At more severe level (400 MPa/5 min), a decrease in the shear force related to instrumental texture and in Whiteness (W) and Luminosity (L*) related to color was observed. Simultaneous optimization provided a value of 365MPa / 2min where physicochemical characteristics would be the more similar to the scallop without facing a preservation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, is a species of major commercial, cultural, and ecological importance. It is endemic to the eastern coast of the United States, but has also been introduced to China, where it supports a significant aquaculture industry. Here, we provide an annotated chromosome-level reference genome assembly for the bay scallop, assembled using PacBio and Hi-C data. The total genome size is 845.9 Mb, distributed over 1,503 scaffolds with a scaffold N50 of 44.3 Mb. The majority (92.9%) of the assembled genome is contained within the 16 largest scaffolds, corresponding to the 16 chromosomes confirmed by Hi-C analysis. The assembly also includes the complete mitochondrial genome. Approximately 36.2% of the genome consists of repetitive elements. The BUSCO analysis showed a completeness of 96.2%. We identified 33,772 protein-coding genes. This genome assembly will be a valuable resource for future research on evolutionary dynamics, adaptive mechanisms, and will support genome-assisted breeding, contributing to the conservation and management of this iconic species in the face of environmental and pathogenic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, valvometric techniques have been commonly used to record valve opening activities of bivalves. Various relationships with environmental variations have been elucidated through different types of metrics extracted from valvometric signals (e.g. valve opening, cyclicity, specific behaviours). Although automated data processing methods exist, many specific behaviours are still annotated manually. This study proposes an algorithm to detect and classify the behaviours performed by the great scallop (Pecten maximus) in two categories: jump-like (JL) behaviours and other behaviours (OBs). These two categories differ in the shape of their valvometric signal, JL being movements of high amplitudes associated with 'displacement movements' (rotation, swimming, jumping, flipping) and OB grouping all other movements of lower amplitudes ('common movements'), such as partial closures, which are produced routinely. This algorithm has been developed and tested on 10 scallop valve opening time series recorded using fully autonomous valvometers based on the Hall effect principle. The algorithm detected 93.65% ± 5.5 of manually annotated behaviours produced by scallops, with a false detection rate of less than 6.3% ± 5.5. Classification performances vary according to the type of behaviour. JL behaviours and OBs were well classified at 83.72% ± 23.09 and 98.92% ± 1.80, respectively. Analysis of the algorithm's outputs, highlighting potential daily trends in the production of certain behaviours, shows their relevance for acquiring information on the biology of scallops. By providing an efficient and flexible detection and classification method, this study is a first step towards the automation of bivalve behaviour detection. This study also highlights the importance of simultaneously using Hall sensors and accelerometers to accurately classify the complex behaviours of mobile bivalves such as P. maximus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of environmental pollution by plastics is global in nature and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Realization of the importance of this problem contributed to the study of degradation and biodegradation of synthetic polymers. It turned out that the driving force of plastic fragmentation along with abiotic factors can be biotic. Based on the above, we investigated the in vitro biodegradation of polypropylene (PP) fragments in digestive gland homogenates and crystalline styles of the bivalve mollusk Mizuhopecten yessoensis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed changes in the chemical composition of functional groups on the plastic surface. Enzyme complexes of crystalline styles enhanced the biodegradation of PP fragments to a larger extent than did digestive glands. The results obtained using M. yessoensis as an example suggest that marine phytophagous filter-feeding invertebrates may accelerate the biodegradation of synthetic polymers. The study provides a basis for rethinking the nature of relationships between marine invertebrates and microplastic polluting the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an innovative type of damper seal, the scallop damper seal (SDS) has shown greatly improved sealing performance for the high-compactness supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) turbomachinery, but leakage-induced excitation forces have an impact on the rotor stability. In this research, we improve the rotordynamic solution based on the multi-frequency elliptic whirling model for the S-CO2 seals and investigate the leakage-induced excitation behavior of SDS depending on seal geometry and operating condition. By comparing the results of a labyrinth seal and a full-partition pocket damper seal, we prove that SDS has better rotordynamic performance for the S-CO2 compressor. The results show that increasing the pressure drop favors greater direct stiffness and effective damping of the SDS. Inlet preswirl changes the direction of fluid-response force to coincide with the rotor motion, which is detrimental to rotor stability. Changing the cavity depth has no significant effect on the dynamic characteristics of the SDS, but shortening the cavity length reduces the direct stiffness to below zero. Supplementing the number of circumferential cavities increases the direct stiffness and effective damping but results in SDS not being able to be machined directly by milling cutters. The design with 12 circumferential cavities is recommended for the 100-kW-class S-CO2 compressor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow-Bohai Sea is an important semi-enclosed continental shelf marginal seas with an intensive aquaculture industry in China. The current study analyzed the contamination status and the time variations of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in shellfish between 2019 and 2020 from the Yellow-Bohai Sea in the Dalian area and estimated the acute health risks to consumers in China. A total of 199 shellfish samples (including 34 Pacific oysters, 25 Mediterranean blue mussels, 34 Manila clams, 36 bay scallops, 34 veined rapa whelks and 36 bloody clams) were analyzed from four representative aquaculture zones around the Yellow-Bohai Sea in Dalian. Among the samples, scallops and blood clams were the shellfish species with the highest detection rate of PSTs (94.4%), and the highest level of PSTs was detected in scallops with 3953.5 μg STX.2HCl eq./kg (μg STX.2HCL equivalents per kg shellfish tissue), followed by blood clams with 993.4 μg STX.2HCl eq./kg. The contents of PSTs in shellfish showed a time variation trend, and autumn was the season of concern for PST contamination in Dalian. For general Chinese consumers, the probability of acute health risks to shellfish consumers from dietary exposure to PSTs was around 13%. For typical consumers in coastal areas of China, especially those with higher shellfish intake, there was an acute health risk associated with exposure to PSTs through shellfish consumption during the occurrence of harmful algal blooms. It is suggested that the government continue to strengthen the monitoring of the source of PSTs and the monitoring of harmful algal blooms and give reasonable advice on shellfish consumption for consumers in coastal areas, such as not eating scallop viscera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily genes can regulate various processes, especially in embryogenesis, adult development, and homeostasis. To understand the evolution and divergence patterns of the TGF-β superfamily in scallops, genome-wide data from the Bay scallop (Argopecten irradians), the Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri) and the Yesso scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) were systematically analysed using bioinformatics methods. Results: Twelve members of the TGF-β superfamily were identified for each scallop. The phylogenetic tree showed that these genes were grouped into 11 clusters, including BMPs, ADMP, NODAL, GDF, activin/inhibin and AMH. The number of exons and the conserved motif showed some differences between different clusters, while genes in the same cluster exhibited high similarity. Selective pressure analysis revealed that the TGF-β superfamily in scallops was evolutionarily conserved. The spatiotemporal expression profiles suggested that different TGF-β members have distinct functions. Several BMP-like and NODAL-like genes were highly expressed in early developmental stages, patterning the embryonic body plan. GDF8/11-like genes showed high expression in striated muscle and smooth muscle, suggesting that these genes may play a critical role in regulating muscle growth. Further analysis revealed a possible duplication of AMH, which played a key role in gonadal growth/maturation in scallops. In addition, this study found that several genes were involved in heat and hypoxia stress in scallops, providing new insights into the function of the TGF-β superfamily. Conclusion: Characteristics of the TGF-β superfamily in scallops were identified, including sequence structure, phylogenetic relationships, and selection pressure. The expression profiles of these genes in different tissues, at different developmental stages and under different stresses were investigated. Generally, the current study lays a foundation for further study of their pleiotropic biological functions in scallops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two bay scallop subspecies, Argopecten irradians irradians (NN) and A. i. concentricus (SS), are fast growing and major cultured bivalves in China. However, their relatively small sizes and decreasing production traits caused by long-term inbreeding have been major concerns to the industry in the last two decades. Hybridization between the two bay scallop subspecies may provide a new approach to breed a new variety with superior production traits for the industry. For this end, in this study, we hybridized the two bay scallop subspecies in order to obtain a new strain that incorporates the genes of both subspecies. No significant difference was found in fertilization rate, hatching rate and metamorphosis rate between the purebred and crossbred cohorts (NN♀×SS♂, denoted as NS; SS♀×NN♂, denoted as SN). Both mating strategy (intra- vs. inter-population crosses) and egg origin had significant effects on growth and survival at the larval stage. Heterosis was observed in the crossbred and was more pronounced in older stages. Genetic diversity of the reciprocal hybrids, especially that of SN, was increased compared with the purebred cohorts. Almost all hybrids were completely fertile and able to reproduce by self-fertilization or by backcrossing with either parent. Apparently, male sterile individuals whose gonads were fully occupied by the ovary part at mature stage were found in the hybrids for the first time. The hybrids, especially SN, may provide precious germplasm resources for the production of ternary hybrids with the Peruvian scallop, A. purpuratus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians; A. irradians) are shellfish with high nutritional and economic value. However, nutritional studies on A. irradians with different shell colors are limited. This study examines the hazardous, nutritional, and taste-contributing compounds during the growth of A. irradians with different shell colors. During the growth of A. irradians, the hazardous contents were below the standard limit. Changes in the nutritional and taste-contributing compounds between months were more significant than shell color. Bay scallops had more fats, total fatty acids, and taste-contributing compounds in August and more proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12, Cu, and Zn in September and October. In October, the golden shell color strain had more proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12, Cu, and Zn, while the purple shell color strain had more taste-contributing compounds. A. irradians had better taste in August and higher nutritional value in September and October. In October, the golden shell color strain has higher nutritional value, and the purple shell color strain has better commercial value and taste. The correlation analysis indicates that the nutritional quality of bay scallops is affected by age (months), shell color, and seawater environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ba/Cashell, Mo/Cashell, and Li/Cashell chronologies of Pecten maximus can provide information on past phytoplankton dynamics. Distinct Ba, Mo, and Li peaks in the shells are associated with algal blooms. This study evaluated the underlying hypothesis that respective element profiles reliably record variations in phytoplankton dynamics occurring within the water column. Therefore, the chemical content of scallops from the Bay of Brest, France, that lived on the sediment surface was compared to conspecific specimens living in a cage above the seafloor and compared with the phytoplankton abundance and the physicochemical properties of the water column. As demonstrated, Ba/Cashell and Mo/Cashell peaks occurred contemporaneously in specimens within the cage and on the sediment, but were higher in the latter. Furthermore, element/Ca peaks agreed with the timing of particulate Ba and Mo enrichments in the seawater. These data support the assumption of a dietary uptake of both elements. Differences in peak heights between shells living in a cage and on the seafloor were controlled by rates of filtration and biomineralization. While the timing and magnitude of Ba/Cashell peaks were linked to Ba‐containing diatoms, Mo/Cashell peaks were related to blooms of Mo‐enriched dinoflagellate and diatom aggregation events. Two episodes of slight Li enrichment occurred synchronously in cage and sediment shells. Although the exact mechanism causing such Li increases remains unresolved, the findings suggest a link to large diatom blooms or the presence of a specific diatom taxon. This study refines previously hypothesized relationships between trace element enrichments in scallop shells and phytoplankton dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Owing to the constant wind generated by the vast ocean, energy production from offshore wind farms (OWFs) plays an important role in the expansion of renewable energy. However, areas close to large wind farms are often left unutilized, and aquaculture farmers find it difficult to efficiently utilize these unoccupied spaces due to limited information showing the feasibility of utilization of OWFs as potential scallop culture sites. To analyze whether the two scallop species Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri) and bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) can be grown at OWFs of Gochang and Buan, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea, the growth characteristics of the two scallop species were analyzed and compared with those grown at the Tongyeong Megacosm Test Station. The results clearly showed that the growth of scallops at the OWF was significantly lower with respect to the shell lengths, height, width, and weight, compared to those grown at the megacosm station. However, scallops grown at the OWF still showed consistent growth in parallel with those grown at the megacosm test station. Yet, there was a species-specific mortality rate between the two sites. In addition, our results suggest that temperature may be a key determinant of the growth of C. farreri and A. irradians. Overall, this study contributes to establishing a foundation for the stable and continuous farming of marine bivalves (e.g., clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops) in OWF areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different from the diverse family Pectinidae, the Spondylidae is a small group with a single genus that shares the sedentary life habit of cementing themselves to the substrate. However, little information related to the genetic diversity of Spondylidae has been reported. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of Spondylus versicolor and S. spinosus were sequenced and compared with those of pectinids. The mtDNA of S. versicolor and S. spinosus show similar patterns with respect to genome size, AT content, AT skew, GC skew, and codon usage, and their mitogenomic sizes are longer than most pectinid species. The mtDNA of S. spinosus is 27,566 bp in length, encoding 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes, while an additional tRNA-Met was found in the mtDNA of S. versicolor, which is 28,600 bp in length. The monophylies of Spondylidae and Pectinidae were well supported, but the internal relationships within Pectinidae remain unresolved due to the paraphyly of the genus Mimachlamy and the controversial position of the tribe Aequipectinini. The gene orders of S. versicolor and S. spinosus are almost identical but differ greatly from species of the Pectinidae, indicating extensive gene rearrangements compared with Pectinidae. Positive selection analysis revealed evidence of adaptive evolution in the branch of Spondylidae. The present study could provide important information with which to understand the evolutionary progress of the diverse and economically significant marine bivalve Pectinoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent efforts in ocean mapping of seafloor habitat have made data increasingly available. For bottom-dwelling and/or sessile species, there is often a strong relationship between population productivity and habitat, and stock assessment models are likely to be improved by the inclusion of habitat. Here, we extend a recently developed spatio-temporal biomass dynamics model to allow habitat to inform probabilities of non-zero tows and catchability. Simulation experiments demonstrate the ability of this new approach to reliably capture population trends over time and space, with the applicability of the method further demonstrated using data from the Canadian Maritimes Inshore Sea Scallop Fishery in the Bay of Fundy. This habitat-informed spatio-temporal biomass dynamics model better captures underlying processes, reduces uncertainty, thereby improving our understanding of stock status from which fisheries management decisions can be based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Recently, food‐derived peptides were frequently studied and used as metal ion chelator against negative effects of trace element absorption induced by various human gastrointestinal environments. In this study, the scallop mantle hydrolysates (SMHs) were produced and characterised to study their intestinal promotion of zinc absorption. During production of hydrolysates, the results of degree of hydrolysis (DH) and proteins solubility suggested that the alcalase was suitable for the production of peptides from scallop mantle proteins where the chelating conditions were settled (30 °C, 10 min and 3 mg mL−1). The molecular distribution of SMH was mainly 1–5 kDa and chelation of zinc with SMH (involved in carboxyl and amine group of SMH) triggered no significant alteration on the secondary structure of SMH. Zinc morphologically altered the surface structures of SMH. Moreover, SMH could successfully carry and transport zinc while the fluorescence staining indicated free zinc accumulated inside the tissue of everted rat sacs. Finally, several representative transported peptides (intact or cleaved) were identified, such as FTGEPGPSGPT, AINDPFIDL and ALPHAILRI. This study provided a theoretical basis for the investigation of absorption of marine animal‐derived peptides as zinc carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As "Bohai Red" scallops were originated from the hybrids between the Peruvian scallop (Argopecten purpuratus) and the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) northern subspecies (Argopecten irradians irradians). Twelve Wnt members were identified from the two subspecies of bay scallop, and 13 Wnt genes were found in the genome of the Peruvian scallop. Protein structure analyses showed that most Wnt genes poses all 5 conserved motifs except Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt6, and Wnt9 in the bay scallops and Wnt2 and Wnt9 in the Peruvian scallop. Unexpectedly, Wnt8 gene was present while Wnt3 was absent in both the bay scallops and the Peruvian scallop. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Wnt3 might have disappeared in the early evolution of mollusks. The expression profile of Wnt genes in the "Bohai Red" exposed to different temperatures was examined by qRT-PCR. Results show that expression of Wnt genes responded differentially to temperature changes. The Wnt genes such as Wnt1, Wnt6, Wnt7, Wnt11, and WntA that responded slowly to low and high temperature stresses may be related to the maintenance of basic homeostasis. Other Wnt genes such as Wnt4, Wnt9, Wnt5, and Wnt2 that responded rapidly to low temperature may play an important role in organismal protection against low temperature stress. And yet some Wnt genes including Wnt10, Wnt16, and Wnt8 that responded quickly to high temperature stress may play key roles in response to high temperature stress. The results provide new insights into the evolution and function of Wnt genes in bivalves and eventually benefit culture of "Bohai Red" scallops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, represents a commercially, culturally and ecologically important species found along the United States' Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Since 2019, scallop populations in New York have been suffering large-scale summer mortalities resulting in 90–99% reduction in biomass of adult scallops. Preliminary investigations of these mortality events showed 100% prevalence of an apicomplexan parasite infecting kidney tissues. This study was designed to provide histological, ultrastructural and molecular characteristics of a non-described parasite, member of the newly established Marosporida clade (Apicomplexa) and provisionally named BSM (Bay Scallop Marosporida). Molecular diagnostics tools (quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization) were developed and used to monitor disease development. Results showed that BSM disrupts multiple scallop tissues including kidney, adductor muscle, gill, and gonad. Microscopy observations allowed the identification of both intracellular and extracellular stages of the parasite. Field surveys demonstrated a strong seasonal signature in disease prevalence and intensity, as severe cases and mortality increase as summer progresses. These results strongly suggest that BSM infection plays a major role in the collapse of bay scallop populations in New York. In this framework, BSM may synergistically interact with stressful environmental conditions to impair the host and lead to mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warming temperatures and diminishing dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are among the most pervasive drivers of global coastal change. While regions of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean are experiencing greater than average warming, the combined effects of thermal and hypoxic stress on marine life in this region are poorly understood. Populations of the northern bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians across the northeast United States have experienced severe declines in recent decades. This study used a combination of high‐resolution (~1 km) satellite‐based temperature records, long‐term temperature and DO records, field and laboratory experiments, and high‐frequency measures of scallop cardiac activity in an ecosystem setting to quantify decadal summer warming and assess the vulnerability of northern bay scallops to thermal and hypoxic stress across their geographic distribution. From 2003 to 2020, significant summer warming (up to ~0.2°C year−1) occurred across most of the bay scallop range. At a New York field site in 2020, all individuals perished during an 8‐day estuarine heatwave that coincided with severe diel‐cycling hypoxia. Yet at a Massachusetts site with comparable DO levels but lower daily mean temperatures, mortality was not observed. A 96‐h laboratory experiment recreating observed daily temperatures of 25 or 29°C, and normoxia or hypoxia (22.2% air saturation), revealed a 120‐fold increased likelihood of mortality in the 29°C‐hypoxic treatment compared with control conditions, with scallop clearance rates also reduced by 97%. Cardiac activity measurements during a field deployment indicated that low DO and elevated daily temperatures modulate oxygen consumption rates and likely impact aerobic scope. Collectively, these findings suggest that concomitant thermal and hypoxic stress can have detrimental effects on scallop physiology and survival and potentially disrupt entire fisheries. Recovery of hypoxic systems may benefit vulnerable fisheries under continued warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians; A. irradians) are shellfish with high nutritional and economic value. However, nutritional studies on A. irradians with different shell colors are limited. This study examines the hazardous, nutritional, and taste-contributing compounds during the growth of A. irradians with different shell colors. During the growth of A. irradians, the hazardous contents were below the standard limit. Changes in the nutritional and taste-contributing compounds between months were more significant than shell color. Bay scallops had more fats, total fatty acids, and taste-contributing compounds in August and more proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12, Cu, and Zn in September and October. In October, the golden shell color strain had more proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12, Cu, and Zn, while the purple shell color strain had more taste-contributing compounds. A. irradians had better taste in August and higher nutritional value in September and October. In October, the golden shell color strain has higher nutritional value, and the purple shell color strain has better commercial value and taste. The correlation analysis indicates that the nutritional quality of bay scallops is affected by age (months), shell color, and seawater environment.

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Valvometry techniques used to monitor bivalve gaping activity have elucidated numerous relationships with environmental fluctuations, along with biological rhythms ranging from sub-daily to seasonal. Thus, a precise understanding of the natural activity of bivalves (i.e., not exposed to stressful environmental variations) is necessary as a baseline for detecting abnormal behaviors (deviations). This knowledge is also needed to reliably interpret observations of bivalve gaping behavior and associated biological processes (e.g., respiration, nutrition) acquired over time-limited periods. With this in mind, we investigated the natural daily gaping activity of the great scallop (Pecten maximus) by continuously monitoring 35 individuals in several individual tanks and in situ (Bay of Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, France) using fully autonomous Hall effect sensors. Our results revealed a circadian cycle (τ = 24.0h) in scallop gaping activity. Despite significant inter-individual variability in mean opening and cycle amplitude, almost all individuals (87.5%) exhibited nocturnal activity, with valves more open at night than during the day. A shift in light regime in the tanks triggered an instantaneous change in opening pattern, indicating that light levels strongly determine scallop activity. Based on the opening status of scallops, we also identified several gaping behaviors deviating from the regular daily pattern (lack of rhythmicity, high daytime opening), potentially reflecting physiological weakness. While further long-term studies are required to fully understand the natural activity of scallops, these findings pave the way for studies focused on the scallop response to external factors and introduce further research into the detection of abnormal behaviors. Coupling observations of diel valve gaping cycles with other daily variations in organismal and environmental parameters could help explain mechanisms driving the growth patterns of scallops observed in their shell striations. From a technical perspective, our field-based monitoring demonstrates the suitability of autonomous valvometry sensors for studying mobile subtidal bivalve activity in remote offshore environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world and is quickly diversifying. In the Northwest Atlantic, interest in sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) (hereafter scallop) aquaculture has grown substantially. However, technical and economic challenges have hindered industry growth. We conducted bioeconomic simulations for various sized farms that targeted either live "whole" scallops or the shucked adductor muscle "meat." The majority of farms selling whole scallops were profitable. However, all farms selling meats generated negative returns. Labor made up the greatest portion of costs in model simulations and increased linearly with farm size, representing a significant bottleneck. Whole scallop farm value was most sensitive to changes in (1) market price and (2) time to market. Our analysis suggests four strategies to increase farmed scallop production in the Northwest Atlantic: (1) mechanize low density net culture, (2) optimize net stocking densities, (3) build site selection tools, and (4) invest in consumer education, end-markets, and biotoxin testing for whole scallops. The sector will require a combination of regulatory, industry, and research cooperation to overcome these pressing challenges, but holds the potential to profitably diversify the bivalve aquaculture industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the great importance of gills for bivalve mollusks (respiration, feeding, immunity), the microbiota associated with this tissue has barely been characterized in scallops. The scallop Argopecten purpuratus is an important economic resource that is cultivated in areas where coastal upwelling is intensifying by climate change, potentially affecting host-microbiota interactions. Thus, we first characterized the bacterial community present in gills from cultivated scallops (by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) and assessed their stability and functional potential in animals under farm and laboratory conditions. Results showed that under both conditions the gill bacterial community is dominated by the phylum Campylobacterota (57%), which displays a chemoautotrophic potential that could contribute to scallop nutrition. Within this phylum, two phylotypes, namely symbionts A and B, were the most abundant; being, respectively, taxonomically affiliated to symbionts with nutritional functions in mussel gills, and to uncultured bacteria present in coral mucus. Additionally, in situ hybridization and scanning electron microscopy analyses allowed us to detect these symbionts in the gills of A. purpuratus. Given that shifts in upwelling phenology can cause disturbances to ecosystems, affecting bacteria that provide beneficial functions to the host, we further assessed the changes in the abundance of the two symbionts (via qPCR) in response to a simulated upwelling intensification. The exposure to combined decreasing values in the temperature, pH, and oxygen levels (upwelling conditions) favored the dominance of symbiont B over symbiont A; suggesting that symbiont abundances are modulated by these environmental changes. Overall, results showed that changes in the main Campylobacterota phylotypes in response to upwelling intensification could affect its symbiotic function in A. purpuratus under future climate change scenarios. These results provide the first insight into understanding how scallop gill-microbial systems adapt and respond to climate change stressors, which could be critical for managing health, nutrition, and scallop aquaculture productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In laboratory and industrial cultivation of marine microalgae, it is customary to enrich cultures with macronutrients (N, P), chelated trace metals, and vitamins at ~104× concentrations found in nature to obtain high culture densities. Other naturally occurring growth‐promoting compounds found in local seawater are not enriched and remain at environmental concentrations. Microalgae may thus be deprived of the mutualistic contributions of co‐occurring microorganisms with which they have evolved complex chemical relationships. In the present study, we assess the direct (mixed bacteria–microalgae cultivation) and indirect (exposure to exudates only, without physical contact) effects of 10 bacterial strains on the growth of five marine microalgal strains used as feeds in marine aquaculture hatcheries. Bacterial strains were selected based upon previously reported growth‐promoting characteristics in plants or microalgae, or known release of probiotics. Our experiments demonstrate superior stimulation of microalgal growth by bacterial exudates, and without the presence of the bacteria that produced these exudates. However, response to bacterial exudate enrichment was dependent upon the microalgae strain and bacterial pairing. Exudates from Bacillus, Mesorhizobium, and Phaeobacter strains were most effective, with 22%–69% increases in microalgal specific growth rate. Such findings indicate that bacterial exudates accelerate rate‐limiting processes governing nutrient acquisition, assimilation, or anabolism, and possibly algal release of exopolymeric substances. Maximal cell density, however, remained constrained by macronutrient limitation. Scaled‐up trials in an oyster hatchery confirmed the practical benefit of bacterial exudate culture medium enrichment and demonstrated the suitability of exudate‐enriched microalgae to feed hatchery‐reared bay scallops. This work presents a promising strategy to improve microalgal culture media formulations using bacterial exudate components as growth promoters, and is the first such study to identify specific pairings with relevance for aquaculture production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The macromolecule epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the protein kinase superfamily, which plays versatile functions in cell proliferation, development and fertility regulation. Almost all F 1 hybrids obtained from the hermaphroditic bay scallops and Peruvian scallops exhibit infertility, and the genetic mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the comprehensive scRNA-seq was first conducted in the gonads of hybrid scallops, deducing the developmental sequence of germ cells and identifying the critical regulators in hybrid sterility: epidermal growth factor receptor. During the development from oogenesis phase germ cells to oocytes, the expression of the EGFR gene gradually decreased in sterile hybrids but increased in fertile hybrids. The significantly lower EGFR expression and ATP content, but higher ROS production rate was detected in the gonad of sterile hybrids than that in fertile hybrids, which might cause slow development of oocytes, stagnation of cell cycle, insufficient energy supply, high level of apoptosis and final sterility. Specific knock-down of EGFR gene led to decreased ATP content, increased ROS production rate, and inhibited oocyte maturation and gonadal development. These findings provide new insights into the roles of EGFR in hybrid infertility of bivalves and the healthy development of scallop breeding. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient restriction (NR) extends lifespan in many species. High latitudes are characterized by cold-water temperature and food limitations, where bivalves may mimic NR like vertebrates, which could result in a prolonged life expectancy. The long-lived Peruvian scallop (7–10 years) distributes naturally at relatively higher latitudes than the annual bay scallop. However, the relationship and the mechanism underlying the food availability and lifespan are unclear in bivalves. In this study, the genetic response to NR was first investigated in bivalves with distinct lifespans. Peruvian scallops persistently responded to NR mainly via metabolic pathways, but that began to play roles in bay scallops after 56 days. Significant down-regulated expression of long-chain saturated fatty acid synthetase in both two scallops and increased expression of SCD5 and LIPN2 in Peruvian scallops might contribute to MUFA accumulation under NR. SOD1 was more highly expressed in Peruvian scallops than in bay scallops under NR, and strong autophagy was detected only in Peruvian scallops. Peruvian scallops presented much lower MDA levels and higher SOD1 activities than bay scallops. These findings help us understanding the role of lipases and antioxidases in longevity of bivalves, and provide potential biomarkers for breeding long-lived larger scallops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to isolate, purify, screen, and identify novel umami peptides from bay scallops. Proteins were hydrolyzed using AP200-A alkaline protease and FF106 flavor protease to obtain umami peptides. Ultrafiltration membranes were employed to separate and purify the peptides from scallop by-products, revealing that fractions smaller than 3 kDa exhibited the highest umami levels. Further purification was achieved using the AKTA system superdexpeptide gel chromatography. The composition of umami peptides was identified using LC-MS/MS technology. Molecular docking identified four types of umami peptides: RPPVVR, APDFGNR, SWLDGK, and RGFGGAR. Hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions were identified as the primary binding forces between T1R1/T1R3 and the umami peptides, with key binding sites including ASN150, ASP216, ASP219, GLN222, GLU148, GLU217, LEU51, and SER107. These findings supplement existing research on scallop umami peptides and provide insights into the interaction mechanisms between umami receptors and umami peptides. • Four novel umami peptides were identified from Bay Scallop (Argopecten irradians). • Molecular docking and solid-phase synthesis were used to screen umami peptides. • Hydrogen bonding, electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction were the main binding forces of peptide and receptor. • ASP219 and GLN222 are essential amino acids in molecular docking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bay scallop is a eurythermal species with high economic value and now represents the most cultured bivalve species in China. Two subspecies of the bay scallop, the northern subspecies Argopecten irradians irradians Korean population (KK) and the southern subspecies Argopecten irradians concentricus (MM), exhibited distinct adaptations to heat stress. However, the molecular mechanism of heat resistance of the two subspecies remains unclear. In this study, we compared the transcriptomic responses of the two subspecies to heat stress and identified the involved differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways. More DEGs were found in the KK than in the MM when exposed to high temperatures, indicating elevated sensitivity to thermal stress in the KK. Enrichment analysis suggests that KK scallops may respond to heat stress more swiftly by regulating GTPase activity. Meanwhile, MM scallops exhibited higher resistance to heat stress mainly by effective activation of their antioxidant system. Chaperone proteins may play different roles in responses to heat stress in the two subspecies. In both subspecies, the expression levels of antioxidants such as GST were significantly increased; the glycolysis process regulated by PC and PCK1 was greatly intensified; and both apoptotic and anti-apoptotic systems were significantly activated. The pathways related to protein translation and hydrolysis, oxidoreductase activity, organic acid metabolism, and cell apoptosis may also play pivotal roles in the responses to heat stress. The results of this study may provide a theoretical basis for marker-assisted breeding of heat-resistant strains. [Display omitted] • Two subspecies of bay scallop exhibit distinct responses to heat stress. • More DEGs were found in the more heat-tolerant northern subspecies. • Differential expression of chaperone proteins was found in the two subspecies. • Genes on antioxidants, glycolysis, apoptosis and anti-apoptosis were regulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the constant wind generated by the vast ocean, energy production from offshore wind farms (OWFs) plays an important role in the expansion of renewable energy. However, areas close to large wind farms are often left unutilized, and aquaculture farmers find it difficult to efficiently utilize these unoccupied spaces due to limited information showing the feasibility of utilization of OWFs as potential scallop culture sites. To analyze whether the two scallop species Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri) and bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) can be grown at OWFs of Gochang and Buan, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea, the growth characteristics of the two scallop species were analyzed and compared with those grown at the Tongyeong Megacosm Test Station. The results clearly showed that the growth of scallops at the OWF was significantly lower with respect to the shell lengths, height, width, and weight, compared to those grown at the megacosm station. However, scallops grown at the OWF still showed consistent growth in parallel with those grown at the megacosm test station. Yet, there was a species-specific mortality rate between the two sites. In addition, our results suggest that temperature may be a key determinant of the growth of C. farreri and A. irradians. Overall, this study contributes to establishing a foundation for the stable and continuous farming of marine bivalves (e.g., clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops) in OWF areas.

The effects of transglutaminase (TGase) addition (0.4–1.2 g/100g), ultrasound (120–720 W, 20 min), and their combination on the gel properties and in vitro digestion characteristics of bay scallop adductor muscle were studied. The gel strength of the gel sample with TGase content of 0.8 g/100g (TG-0.8) was 58.2% higher than that of the control sample (CON). The gel sample treated with ultrasound at 480 W (UT-480) had the highest gel strength. The strength of the gel prepared by combination of 0.8 g/100g TGase and 360 W ultrasound (UT-TG) was 82.3% higher than that of CON. The whiteness and water holding capacity of the gel increased regardless of the addition of TGase or ultrasound treatment. SDS-PAGE patterns showed that the myosin heavy chain of the treated samples became thinner, and the changes of actin and tropomyosin were not significant. The scanning electron microscopy results of gel samples prepared by ultrasound combined with TGase showed a denser structure, which was related to the lowest total sulfhydryl content and TCA-soluble peptide content. The results of dynamic rheology show that the UT-TG sample had the highest G′ value, followed by TG-0.8. The in vitro digestion characteristics of the selected gel samples were also discussed. The degree of protein hydrolysis and the content of free amino acids in TG-0.8 samples were the lowest, which improved after ultrasound treatment. Overall, the combination of appropriate ultrasound treatment and TGase addition provides an effective means for improving gel properties and digestibility of scallop surimi product.

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In this study, the comparison effects of ultrasound-assisted immersion freezing (UIF) at different ultrasonic power, immersion freezing (IF), and air freezing (AF) on the protein thermal stability, protein structure, and physicochemical properties of adductor muscle of scallop (Argopecten irradians) (AMS) during frozen storage were investigated. Principal component analysis and the Taylor diagram were used to comprehensively analyze all the indicators tested. The results showed that the UIF at 150 W (UIF-150) treatment was the most effective way to delay the quality deterioration of AMS during 90-day frozen storage. This was mainly because, compared to AF and IF treatments, UIF-150 treatment more effectively minimized the changes in the primary, secondary and tertiary structures of myofibrillar proteins, and it preserved the protein thermal stability of AMS by producing small and regular ice crystals in the AMS tissue during the freezing process. Moreover, the results of physicochemical properties indicated that UIF-150 treatment significantly inhibited the fat oxidation and microbiological activities of frozen AMS, and it finally maintained the microstructure and texture of AMS during frozen storage. Overall, UIF-150 has potential industrial application prospects in the rapid freezing and quality preservation of scallops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different antioxidants of bamboo leaves (AOB) treatment on lipid oxidation of scallop (Argopecten irradians) adductor muscle during hot air drying was investigated. The results demonstrated that the marinated sample had the lowest peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, polyunsaturated fatty acids loss, free radical level, and lipoxygenase activity during drying, indicating that the marination process maximized the antioxidant effects of AOB. The results indicate that this process could interfere with free radical chain reaction and inhibit lipoxygenase activity since AOB is correctly distributed on the site of lipid oxidation. After drying, eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid content in control, unmarinated, and marinated samples decreased by 26.10%, 11.25%, and 7.29%, respectively, suggesting that the marination process maintained more efficiently its high nutritive value in terms of lipid content. Overall, the use of AOB provides a more effective strategy to control lipid oxidation in seafood, mainly scallops, during drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale offshore wind farms are a critical component of the worldwide climate strategy. However, their developments have been opposed by the fishing industry because of concerns regarding the impacts of pile driving vibrations during constructions on commercially important marine invertebrates, including bivalves. Using field-based daily exposure, we showed that pile driving induced repeated valve closures in different scallop life stages, with particularly stronger effects for juveniles. Scallops showed no acclimatization to repetitive pile driving across and within days, yet quickly returned to their initial behavioral baselines after vibration-cessation. While vibration sensitivity was consistent, daily pile driving did not disrupt scallop circadian rhythm, but suggests serious impacts at night when valve openings are greater. Overall, our results show distance and temporal patterns can support future mitigation strategies but also highlight concerns regarding the larger impact ranges of impending widespread offshore wind farm constructions on scallop populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to assess the occurrence of compensatory growth in Nodipecten nodosus farmed in Caraguatatuba, Brazil, during intermediate phase at the densities of 50 (control), 800, 1600 and 3200 m−2. Subsequently the densities were reduced to 50 m−2 for the growout phase, in which each treatment consisted of scallops originating from the same density used during the intermediate phase, with mean height equal to the average recorded in each density. The treatments were named according to the original density (T50, T800, T1600 and T3200). At the end of the intermediate phase, height, survival and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly higher for the density of 50 m−2. After the growout phase, height was higher in T50, but the total SGR and increase in height were lower. Survivals, adductor muscle dry weight, total dry weight and condition index did not differ significantly. In addition, during the intermediate phase, SGR was higher in scallops at 50 m−2, but, at the beginning of the growout phase, SGR decreased in T50 scallops and increased in those of the other treatments. The results indicated the occurrence of compensatory growth in N. nodosus, which would allow increasing stocking densities in the intermediate phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming has significantly impacted agriculture, particularly in animal husbandry and aquaculture industry. Rising ocean temperatures due to global warming are severely affecting shellfish production, necessitating an understanding of how shellfish cope with thermal stress. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cell growth, differentiation, adaptation to environmental stress, inflammatory response, and managing high temperature stress. To investigate the function of MAPKs in bay scallops, a comparative genomics and bioinformatics approach identified three MAPK genes: AiERK, Aip38, and AiJNK. Structural and phylogenetic analyses of these proteins were conducted to determine their evolutionary relationships. Spatiotemporal expression patterns were examined at different developmental stages and in various tissues of healthy adult scallops. Additionally, the expression regulation of these genes was studied in selected tissues (hemocyte, gill, heart, mantle) following exposure to high temperatures (32 °C) for different durations (0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 6 d, 10 d). The spatiotemporal expressions of AiMAPKs were ubiquitous, with significant increases in AiERK expression observed at the umbo larval stage (3.09-fold), while Aip38 and AiJNK were identified as potential maternal effect genes. In adult scallops, different gene expression patterns of AiMAPKs were observed across eight tissues, with high expressions in the foot and gill, and lower expressions in the striated muscle. Following high temperature stress, AiMAPKs expressions in the gill and mantle were mainly up-regulated, while in the hemocyte, they were primarily down-regulated. These findings indicate time- and tissue-dependent expression patterns with functional allocation in response to different thermal durations. This study enhances our understanding of the function and evolution of AiMAPKs genes in shellfish and provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the energy regulation mechanism of bay scallops in response to high temperature stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are an increasingly important source of pollution. Bivalves, as the main transmission medium, accumulate and metabolize PSTs while protecting themselves from damage. At present, the resistance mechanism of bivalves to PSTs is unclear. In this study, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Argopecten irradians were used as experimental shellfish species for in situ monitoring. We compared the inflammatory-related gene responses of the two shellfish during PSTs exposure by using transcriptomes. The results showed that the accumulation and metabolism rate of PSTs in M. galloprovincialis was five-fold higher than that in A. irradians. The inflammatory balance mechanism of M. galloprovincialis involved the co-regulation of the MAPK-based and AMPK-based anti-inflammatory pathways. A. irradians bore a higher risk of death because it did not have the balance system, and the regulation of apoptosis-related pathways such as the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway were upregulated. Taken together, the regulation of the inflammatory balance coincides with the ability of bivalves to cope with PSTs. Inflammation is an important factor that affects the metabolic pattern of PSTs in bivalves. This study provides new evidence to support the studies on the resistance mechanism of bivalves to PSTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crushed shells from three bivalve mollusc species (mussel, oyster and scallop) in two particle size ranges (63–150 μm and 710–1180 μm) were tested for their ability to remove dissolved copper and zinc ions from synthetic stormwater in a column. For comparison, zeolite (1–2 mm), which is commonly used for heavy metal ion capture, was also assessed. All shell types of both particle sizes were effective in removing zinc from solution with 97–100% removal efficiency which was similar to the removal efficiency by zeolite (97.6%). The removal of copper was most efficiently achieved with oyster shell with a particle size range of 710–1180 μm (83.6%), which was similar to the removal efficiency by zeolite (83.4%). Brunauear-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements showed significant decreases in the surface area of the shells after exposure to synthetic stormwater due to adsorption of heavy metals, visually confirmed by observation of a fine layer of metal precipitate adsorbed to the shell particle surfaces using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Overall, the results indicate that crushed bivalve shells have excellent potential for the removal of dissolved zinc and copper from stormwater and should be tested in more complex stormwater studies. This work has significant implications for stormwater infrastructure design using a local, cheap and readily accessible waste material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) has been found to regulate longevity through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway and maintenance of genome integrity in worms, flies, and mammals. However, limited information is available on the roles of PTEN in longevity of aquatic animals. Here we extended this paradigm using two closely related Argopecten scallops, Argopecten purpuratus, and Argopecten irradians, with significantly distinct life spans, which are commercially important bivalve species for fishery and aquaculture in China, United States, Peru, and Chile. The ORFs of the ApPTEN and AiPTEN were 1,476 and 1,473 bp, which encoded 491 and 490 amino acids, respectively. There were 48 synonymous and 16 non-synonymous SNPs and one InDel of three nucleotides between ApPTEN and AiPTEN, resulting in variations in 15 amino acids and lack of S453 in AiPTEN. Differences in conformation and posttranslational modification were predicted between ApPTEN and AiPTEN, which may indicate different activities of ApPTEN and AiPTEN. When the animals were subjected to nutrition restriction, the expression of both ApPTEN and AiPTEN was upregulated, with AiPTEN responded faster and more robust than ApPTEN. Ionizing radiation induced significantly elevated expression of ApPTNE but not AiPTEN in the adductor muscle, and the mortality rate of A. purpuratus was significantly lower than that of A. irradians, indicating that ApPTNE may play a protective role by maintaining the genome integrity. RNAi of ApPTNE significantly downregulated the expression of its downstream regulated genes known to favor longevity, such as FoxO, Mn-SOD, and CAT. These results indicated that PTEN may contribute to the longevity of A. purpuratus through regulation of nutrient availability and genomic stability, probably via PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway. Our study may provide new evidence for understanding of the conservative functions of PTEN in regulation of lifespan in animals and human, and it may also benefit the selection of scallops strains with long lifespan and thus larger size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eyes are remarkable systems to investigate the complex interaction between ecological drivers and phenotypic outcomes. Some animals, such as scallops, have many eyes for visual perception, but to date, the evolution of multiple‐eye systems remains obscure. For instance, it is unclear whether eye number changes over a lifetime or varies among species. Scallops are a suitable model group to investigate these questions considering the interspecific variation of adult size and ecological diversity. We tested whether eye abundance scales with body size among individuals and species and whether it varies with life habits. We performed comparative analyses, including a phylogenetic ANCOVA and evolutionary model comparisons, based on eye count and shell height (as a proxy of body size) across 31 scallop species. Our analyses reveal that patterns of increasing relationship with body size are not concordant among taxa and suggest ontogenetic convergence caused by similar ecologies. Accordingly, selective optima in eye numbers are associated with shifts in life habits. For instance, species with increased mobility have significantly more eyes than less mobile species. The convergent evolution of greater eye abundance in more mobile scallops likely indicates a visual improvement based on increased levels of oversampling of the surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]