Calyptraeidae
Encyclopedia
Calyptraeidae, common name
the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails are a family of small to medium-sized marine
prosobranch gastropods. This family includes the slipper snails (Crepidula
species), the Chinese hat snails, (Calyptraea
species), and the cup-and-saucer snails (Crucibulum
species) among others.
Calyptraeidae is the only family in the superfamily
Calyptraeoidea.
This family has no subfamilies according to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005
.
is distinguished by a shelf-like, cup-like, or half-cup-like structure that is used for muscle attachment.
Some calyptraeids have shells that externally resemble those of limpet
s, and for this reason species in the genus Crepidula are often called slipper limpets. However, these snails are not closely related to true limpets and are more closely related to conch
es and cowries. The "slipper" in the name "slipper limpet" is based on the appearance of the inside of the shell, which with its half-shelf resembles a traditional western bedroom slipper
.
Genera within the family Calyptraeidae include:
Genera brought into synonymy :
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails are a family of small to medium-sized marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
prosobranch gastropods. This family includes the slipper snails (Crepidula
Crepidula
Crepidula, common name the "slipper limpets" or "slipper shells", is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails and cup-and-saucer snails....
species), the Chinese hat snails, (Calyptraea
Calyptraea
Calyptraea, commonly known as the "Chinese hat snails" is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, a family which contains the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails....
species), and the cup-and-saucer snails (Crucibulum
Crucibulum (gastropod)
Crucibulum, common name the cup-and-saucer snails, is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails and cup-and-saucer snails.-Species:...
species) among others.
Calyptraeidae is the only family in the superfamily
Taxonomic rank
In biological classification, rank is the level in a taxonomic hierarchy. Examples of taxonomic ranks are species, genus, family, and class. Each rank subsumes under it a number of less general categories...
Calyptraeoidea.
This family has no subfamilies according to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005
Taxonomy of the Gastropoda (Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005)
The taxonomy of the Gastropoda as it was revised by Philippe Bouchet and Jean-Pierre Rocroi is currently the most up-to-date overall system for classifying gastropod mollusks...
.
Description
Internally, the shellMollusc shell
The mollusc shell is typically a calcareous exoskeleton which encloses, supports and protects the soft parts of an animal in the phylum Mollusca, which includes snails, clams, tusk shells, and several other classes...
is distinguished by a shelf-like, cup-like, or half-cup-like structure that is used for muscle attachment.
Some calyptraeids have shells that externally resemble those of limpet
Limpet
Limpet is a common name for a number of different kinds of saltwater and freshwater snails ; it is applied to those snails that have a simple shell which is more or less conical in shape, and either is not spirally coiled, or appears not to be coiled in the adult snails.The name limpet is most...
s, and for this reason species in the genus Crepidula are often called slipper limpets. However, these snails are not closely related to true limpets and are more closely related to conch
Conch
A conch is a common name which is applied to a number of different species of medium-sized to large sea snails or their shells, generally those which are large and have a high spire and a siphonal canal....
es and cowries. The "slipper" in the name "slipper limpet" is based on the appearance of the inside of the shell, which with its half-shelf resembles a traditional western bedroom slipper
Slipper
A slipper or houseshoe is a semi-closed type of indoor/outdoor shoe, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by a strap running over the toes or instep. Slippers are soft and lightweight compared to other types of footwear. They are mostly made of soft or comforting materials that allow a...
.
Reproduction
Calyptraeids may form a tower of up to 25 animals, sometimes referred to as a mating chain. The bottom snail is always female. When she dies, the male above her will change from male to female, and the chain continues.Genera
- BostrycapulusBostrycapulusBostrycapulus, common name the "spiny slipper snails", is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails, cup-and-saucer snails and Chinese hat snails....
Olsson & Harbison, 1953 - CalyptraeaCalyptraeaCalyptraea, commonly known as the "Chinese hat snails" is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, a family which contains the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails....
Lamarck, 1799- Calyptraea chinensisCalyptraea chinensisCalyptraea chinensis, common name the Chinese hat snail or Chinese hat shell, is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails.-Description:The thin shell of this species has...
Linnaeus, 1758
- Calyptraea chinensis
- CheilaCheilaCheila is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails....
Modeer, 1793 - CrepidulaCrepidulaCrepidula, common name the "slipper limpets" or "slipper shells", is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails and cup-and-saucer snails....
Lamarck, 1799 - CrepipatellaCrepipatellaCrepipatella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails and cup-and-saucer snails....
Lesson, 1831 - CrucibulumCrucibulum (gastropod)Crucibulum, common name the cup-and-saucer snails, is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails and cup-and-saucer snails.-Species:...
Schumacher, 1817 - Crypta Gray, 1847
- Ergea H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
- Garnotia Gray, 1857
- GrandicrepidulaGrandicrepidulaGrandicrepidula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails.-Species:Species within the genus Grandicrepidula include:...
McLean, 1995 - MaoricryptaMaoricryptaMaoricrypta is a genus of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails, cup and saucer shells and Chinese hat shells.This genus is known to occur in New Zealand and Australia.-Species:...
FinlayHarold John FinlayHarold John Finlay was a New Zealand palaeontologist and conchologist. He was born in Comilla, India , on 22 March 1901....
, 1926 - SigapatellaSigapatellaSigapatella is a genus of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails, Chinese hat snails, and cup-and-saucer snails. -Taxonomy:...
Lesson, 1930 - TrochitaTrochitaTrochita is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails.-Species:Species within the genus Trochita include:...
Schumacher, 1817- Trochita dhofarensis Taylor & Smythe, 1985
- Trochita georgiana Powell, 1951
- Trochita pileolus (Orbigny, 1841)
- Trochita pileus (Lamarck, 1822)
- Trochita trochiformisTrochita trochiformisTrochita calyptraeaformis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails or slipper limpets, cup-and-saucer snails, and Chinese hat snails....
(I. von Born, 1778)
Genera brought into synonymy :
- Zeacrypta Finlay, 1926 : synonym of Maoricrypta Finlay, 1926
- ZegalerusZegalerusZegalerus is a genus of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Calyptraeidae, commonly known as slipper snails, cup-and-saucer shells, and Chinese hat shells....
FinlayHarold John FinlayHarold John Finlay was a New Zealand palaeontologist and conchologist. He was born in Comilla, India , on 22 March 1901....
, 1927 : synonym of Sigapatella Lesson, 1831