Key Hole Limpets

Order: VETIGASTROPODA
Superfamily: FISSURELLOIDEA
Family: Fissurellidae

PHOTO

Cosmetalepas africana. Eastern Cape, South Africa, 18m, July 2000. 5cm long. Photo: Valda Fraser

The fissurellids are a family of marine snails with cap-like or limpet-like shells which sit on the back of the snail and are often partly, or completely covered, by flaps of skin. The shell often has a slit, or in the case of the Key Hole Limpets a central hole to accommodate a mantle siphon. Another example of this family are the Elephant Slugs Scutus. They are not sea slugs, but are often mistaken for slugs.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (May 24) Key Hole Limpets. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/keyhole

Related messages

  1. Limpet? from the Bahamas
    From: Anne DuPont, June 25, 2001
  2. Keyhole limpet from South Africa
    From: Valda Fraser, May 30, 2001

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