scubaseason

Noble pen shell

Pinna nobilis

Sighting evidence at Binidali Gorgonian Garden, Menorca

Once the largest bivalve in the Mediterranean, the fan mussel Pinna nobilis has been devastated across its range by the haplosporidian parasite Haplosporidium pinnae since 2016. Menorca retains one of the few surviving wild populations in the western basin, making each live individual a significant sighting. The fan mussel anchors itself upright in posidonia meadows with its pointed base and filter-feeds from the water column, sometimes reaching 1.2 metres in height.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Noble pen shell is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites