Huge Flame Shell Reef Discovered in Coastal Waters West of Scotland
Posted on December 27, 2012
A huge flame shell colony has been discovered in coastal waters in the west of Scotland. A survey commissioned by Marine Scotland of Loch Alsh, a sea inlet between Skye and the Scottish mainland, uncovered a massive bed of flame shells. Marine Scotland reports that the number of flame shells in the colony may exceed 100 million. The survey was conducted by researchers from Heriot-Watt University.
Flame shells (Limaria hians) are a small, scallop-like creature with neon orange tentacles. The creatures build nests by binding gravel and shells together with thin wiry threads.
Scotland Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said in a statmenet, "The flame shell must be considered among the most remarkable species in our waters, with a dazzling array of orange tentacles. Many would place such an exotic species in far-flung tropical reefs - not realising they dwell under the waves just off the coast of Skye. This important discovery may be the largest grouping of flame shells anywhere in the world. And not only are flame shells beautiful to look at, these enigmatic shellfish form a reef that offers a safe and productive environment for many other species."