Keyhole limpet
Encyclopedia
Fissurellidae, common name
the keyhole limpets and slit limpets, is a taxonomic family
of limpet
-like sea snail
s, marine
gastropod molluscs in the clade Vetigastropoda
.
Fissurellidae is the only family in the superfamily Fissurelloidea.
s to deeper waters.
Keyhole limpets somewhat resemble true limpets because of the simple conical shape of their shells, but in reality they are not closely related to true limpets, which are in the clade
Patellogastropoda
. This conical shape of the shell allows keyhole limpets to withstand wave attack on exposed rocks. The shell has a reticulate (= net-like) sculpture with strong radial ribs and lacks an operculum
. The shell ranges from 3 mm to 13.2 cm. The Great keyhole limpet (Megathura crenulata
) measures up to 13.2 cm.
For respiration, the shells of fissurellids have a single apical
or subapical perforation ("keyhole"). This opening at the top allows a direct exit of exhalant water currents together with waste products from the mantle
cavity. The water enters under the edge of the shell near the head and passes over paired gills. Most young species in this family have a marginal slit in the middle of the anterior end of the spiral shell. Some species possess just a short internal groove at the anterior end.
The soft body consists of a broad and flat foot and a well-developed mantle. This foot exerts a strong suction, adhering the keyhole limpet to its hard substratum. The mantle extends in some species partly or completely (as in Megathura crenulata) over the shell. The tentacles at the epipodium (the lateral grooves between foot and mantle) are well developed.
In addition to the possession of this hole, slit or groove, keyhole limpets differ in several other ways both internally and externally from true limpets.
feeders. A few species in the genera Diodora and Emarginella are carnivorous, feeding on sponges. Puncturella has been reported to digest diatom
s and detritus. Puncturella aethiopica feeds mainly on Foraminifera
.
This classification was based by Bouchet & Rocroi on the studies by Keen (in Moore) (1960), Christiaens (1973) and McMean (1984).
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 keyhole limpets and slit limpets, is a taxonomic family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
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...
-like sea snail
Snail
Snail is a common name applied to most of the members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells in the adult stage. When the word is used in its most general sense, it includes sea snails, land snails and freshwater snails. The word snail without any qualifier is however more often...
s, 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...
gastropod molluscs in the clade Vetigastropoda
Vetigastropoda
Vetigastropoda is a major taxonomic group of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks that form a very ancient lineage. Taxonomically Vetigastropoda are sometimes treated as an order although they are a clade in Bouchet and Rocroi, 2005....
.
Fissurellidae is the only family in the superfamily Fissurelloidea.
Distribution
The distribution of fissurellids is world-wide, from cold waters to tropical waters.Habitat
Fissurellids live in habitats on and under rocks in the lower intertidal zoneIntertidal zone
The intertidal zone is the area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide . This area can include many different types of habitats, with many types of animals like starfish, sea urchins, and some species of coral...
s to deeper waters.
Shell description
Clade
A clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
Patellogastropoda
Patellogastropoda
Patellogastropoda, common name true limpets and historically called Docoglossa, is a major phylogenetic group of marine gastropods, seen either as a clade or as a taxonomic order.-Taxonomy:Patellogastropoda was proposed by David R...
. This conical shape of the shell allows keyhole limpets to withstand wave attack on exposed rocks. The shell has a reticulate (= net-like) sculpture with strong radial ribs and lacks an operculum
Operculum (gastropod)
The operculum, meaning little lid, is a corneous or calcareous anatomical structure which exists in many groups of sea snails and freshwater snails, and also in a few groups of land snails...
. The shell ranges from 3 mm to 13.2 cm. The Great keyhole limpet (Megathura crenulata
Megathura crenulata
Megathura crenulata, common name the "great keyhole limpet" or "giant keyhole limpet", is a species of limpet in the family Fissurellidae. These keyhole limpets are large, growing up to 60-132 mm...
) measures up to 13.2 cm.
For respiration, the shells of fissurellids have a single apical
Apex (mollusc)
Apex is an anatomical term for the tip of the mollusc shell of a gastropod, scaphopod, or cephalopod mollusc.-Gastropods:The word "apex" is most often used to mean the tip of the spire of the shell of a gastropod...
or subapical perforation ("keyhole"). This opening at the top allows a direct exit of exhalant water currents together with waste products from the mantle
Mantle (mollusc)
The mantle is a significant part of the anatomy of molluscs: it is the dorsal body wall which covers the visceral mass and usually protrudes in the form of flaps well beyond the visceral mass itself.In many, but by no means all, species of molluscs, the epidermis of the mantle secretes...
cavity. The water enters under the edge of the shell near the head and passes over paired gills. Most young species in this family have a marginal slit in the middle of the anterior end of the spiral shell. Some species possess just a short internal groove at the anterior end.
The soft body consists of a broad and flat foot and a well-developed mantle. This foot exerts a strong suction, adhering the keyhole limpet to its hard substratum. The mantle extends in some species partly or completely (as in Megathura crenulata) over the shell. The tentacles at the epipodium (the lateral grooves between foot and mantle) are well developed.
In addition to the possession of this hole, slit or groove, keyhole limpets differ in several other ways both internally and externally from true limpets.
Feeding habits
Keyhole limpets are in essence herbivorous, feeding primarily on algae, but are also detritusDetritus
Detritus is a biological term used to describe dead or waste organic material.Detritus may also refer to:* Detritus , a geological term used to describe the particles of rock produced by weathering...
feeders. A few species in the genera Diodora and Emarginella are carnivorous, feeding on sponges. Puncturella has been reported to digest diatom
Diatom
Diatoms are a major group of algae, and are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. Most diatoms are unicellular, although they can exist as colonies in the shape of filaments or ribbons , fans , zigzags , or stellate colonies . Diatoms are producers within the food chain...
s and detritus. Puncturella aethiopica feeds mainly on Foraminifera
Foraminifera
The Foraminifera , or forams for short, are a large group of amoeboid protists which are among the commonest plankton species. They have reticulating pseudopods, fine strands of cytoplasm that branch and merge to form a dynamic net...
.
Taxonomy
Family Fissurellidae Fleming, 1822- Subfamily FissurellinaeFissurellinaeThe subfamily Fissurellinae, common name the keyhole limpets and slit limpets, is a taxonomic subfamily of limpet-like sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Fissurellidae....
Fleming, 1822 - Subfamily EmarginulinaeEmarginulinaeThe subfamily Emarginulinae, common name keyhole limpets and slit limpets, is a taxonomic subfamily of limpet-like sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets....
Children, 1834- Tribe Emarginulini Children, 1834 - synonyms: Rimulidae, Anton, 1838; Zeidoridae Naef, 1913; Hemitominae Kuroda, Habe & Oyama, 1971; Clypidinidae Golikov & Starobogatov, 1989
- Tribe Diodorini Odhner, 1932
- Tribe Fissurellideini Pilsbry, 1890
- Tribe Scutini Christiaens, 1973
This classification was based by Bouchet & Rocroi on the studies by Keen (in Moore) (1960), Christiaens (1973) and McMean (1984).
Genera
Genera within the family Fissurellidae include:- Genus AltrixAltrixAltrix is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Aktrix include:* Altrix trifolium* Altrix altior...
Palmer, 1942 - Genus AmblychilepasAmblychilepasAmblychilepas is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Distribution:The species from this genus can be found in temperate waters of Australia, except Amblychilepas platyactis that is found along the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula,...
Pilsbry, 1890 - Genus Buchanania Lesson, 1830
- Genus ClathroseptaClathroseptaClathrosepta is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Clathrosepta include:* Clathrosepta becki McLean & Geiger, 1998...
McLean & Geiger, 1998 - Genus ClypidinaClypidinaClypidina is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Clypidina include:* Clypidina notata...
Gray, 1847 - Genus CorniseptaCorniseptaCornisepta is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Cornisepta include:* Cornisepta acuminata...
McLean & Geiger, 1998 - Genus CosmetalepasCosmetalepasCosmetalepas is a genus of minute deepwater keyhole limpets, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets.-Species:* Cosmetalepas africana Tomlin, 1926...
IredaleTom IredaleTom Iredale was an English-born ornithologist and malacologist who had a long association with Australia, where he lived for most of his life. He was an autodidact who never went to university and lacked formal training...
, 1924 - Genus ClypidinaClypidinaClypidina is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Clypidina include:* Clypidina notata...
Gray, 1847 - Genus CranopsisCranopsis (gastropod)Cranopsis is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Cranopsis include: * Cranopsis agger...
A. Adams, 1860 - Genus Dendrofissurella Mclean and Kilburn, 1986
- Genus DiodoraDiodoraDiodora is a genus of small to medium-sized keyhole limpet in the family Fissurellidae.- Life habits:Like all other fissurellids, Diodora species are herbivores, and use the radula to scrape algae from rocks.An exception is D...
J. E. Gray, 1821 - Genus Emarginella PilsbryHenry Augustus PilsbryHenry Augustus Pilsbry was an American biologist, malacologist and carcinologist, among other areas of study. He was a dominant presence in many fields of invertebrate taxonomy for the better part of a century...
, 1890 : synonym of Emarginula Lamarck, 1801 - Genus EmarginulaEmarginulaEmarginula is a genus of small keyhole limpets, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Fissurellidae.-Description:The oval shell is obliquely conical with a backward-pointing recurved apex. There is a deep incision in the anterior margin. A distinct anal fasciole extends upwards from this...
Lamarck, 1801 - Genus FissurellideaFissurellideaFissurellidea is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Fissurellidea include:* Fissurellidea genevievae Dautzenberg, 1929...
d'Orbigny, 1841 - Genus FissuriseptaFissuriseptaFissurisepta is a genus of keyhole limpets, marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae.-Species:Species within the genus Fissurisepta include:* Fissurisepta festiva* Fissurisepta manawatawhia* Fissurisepta rostrata...
Seguenza, 1863- Fissurisepta festivaFissurisepta festivaFissurisepta festiva is a species of keyhole limpet, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae....
Crozier, 1966 - Fissurisepta manawatawhiaFissurisepta manawatawhiaFissurisepta manawatawhia is a species of keyhole limpet, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae.-References:* Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1...
PowellArthur William Baden PowellDr Arthur William Baden Powell CBE was a New Zealand malacologist, naturalist and palaeontologist, a major influence in the study and classification of New Zealand molluscs through much of the twentieth century. He was known to his friends and family by his third name, "Baden".Powell was born at...
, 1937
- Fissurisepta festiva
- Genus FissurellaFissurellaFissurella is a genus of small to medium-sized sea snails or limpets, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.- Ecology :...
BruguièreJean Guillaume BruguièreJean Guillaume Bruguière was a French physician, zoologist and diplomat.Bruguière was born in Montpellier.He was a doctor, connected to the University of Montpellier. His was interested in invertebrates, mostly snails ....
, 1789 - Genus HemitomaHemitoma (genus)Hemitoma is a genus of slit limpets, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets.In this genus of fissurellid, there is an inconspicuous notch at the anterior end of the shell rather than a slit...
Swainson, 1840 - Genus IncisuraIncisura (genus)Incisura is a genus of sea snails or keyhole limpets, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets.-References:...
HedleyCharles HedleyCharles Hedley was a naturalist, active in Australia and winner of the 1925 Clarke Medal.-Early life:...
, 1904- Incisura lytteltonensisIncisura lytteltonensisIncisura lytteltonensis is a species of sea snail, a keyhole limpet, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets.-References:...
E. A. SmithEdgar Albert SmithEdgar Albert Smith was a British zoologist, a malacologist.His father was the Frederick Smith, a well-known entomologist, and Assistant Keeper of Zoology in the British Museum, Bloomsbury...
, 1894
- Incisura lytteltonensis
- Genus Laeviemarginula Habe In Kuroda, 1953
- Genus LaevinestaLaevinestaLaevinesta is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Laevinesta include:* Laevinesta atlantica...
PilsbryHenry Augustus PilsbryHenry Augustus Pilsbry was an American biologist, malacologist and carcinologist, among other areas of study. He was a dominant presence in many fields of invertebrate taxonomy for the better part of a century...
and McGinty, 1952 - Genus Leurolepas J. H. McLean, 1970
- Genus LucapinaLucapinaLucapina is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Lucapina include:* Lucapina adspersa * Lucapina aegis...
G. B. Sowerby II, 1835 - Genus LucapinellaLucapinellaLucapinella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Lucapinella include:* Lucapinella limatula...
PilsbryHenry Augustus PilsbryHenry Augustus Pilsbry was an American biologist, malacologist and carcinologist, among other areas of study. He was a dominant presence in many fields of invertebrate taxonomy for the better part of a century...
, 1890 - Genus MacrochismaMacrochismaMacrochisma is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Macrochisma include:* Macrochisma africana Tomlin, 1926...
Sowerby, 1839 - Genus ManganeseptaManganeseptaManganesepta is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Manganesepta include:* Manganesepta hessleri McLean & Geiger, 1998...
McLean & Geiger, 1998 - Genus MedusafissurellaMedusafissurellaMedusafissurella is a genus of minute deepwater keyhole limpets, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets. -Etymology:...
Mclean and Kilburn, 1986 - Genus Megatebennus PilsbryHenry Augustus PilsbryHenry Augustus Pilsbry was an American biologist, malacologist and carcinologist, among other areas of study. He was a dominant presence in many fields of invertebrate taxonomy for the better part of a century...
, 1890 - Genus Megathura PilsbryHenry Augustus PilsbryHenry Augustus Pilsbry was an American biologist, malacologist and carcinologist, among other areas of study. He was a dominant presence in many fields of invertebrate taxonomy for the better part of a century...
, 1890 - Genus MonodilepasMonodilepasMonodilepas is a species of small sea snail, a keyhole limpet, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets...
FinlayHarold John FinlayHarold John Finlay was a New Zealand palaeontologist and conchologist. He was born in Comilla, India , on 22 March 1901....
, 1927 - Genus MontfortulaMontfortulaMontfortula is a genus of keyhole limpets, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Fissurellidae.-References:* Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1...
IredaleTom IredaleTom Iredale was an English-born ornithologist and malacologist who had a long association with Australia, where he lived for most of his life. He was an autodidact who never went to university and lacked formal training...
, 1915- Montfortula rugosaMontfortula rugosaMontfortula rugosa is a species of keyhole limpet, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae. It is found in Australia and New Zealand.-References:...
(Quoy and Gaimard, 1834)
- Montfortula rugosa
- Genus Montfortulana Habe, 1961
- Genus NestaNesta-People:*Alessandro Nesta, Italian footballer*Nesta Carter, Jamaican sprinter*Nesta Helen Webster, Brittish historian, occultist, and author*Nest ferch Rhys, also known as Princess Nesta, daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr...
H. AdamsHenry Adams (zoologist)Henry Adams was an English naturalist and conchologist.With his brother Arthur Adams, also a noted conchologist, he wrote three volumes, 1858.-References:...
, 1870 - Genus Notomella Cotton, 1957
- Genus ParmophorideaParmophorideaParmophoridea is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Parmophoridea include:* Parmophoridea mawsoni...
Wenz, 1938 - Genus ProfundiseptaProfundiseptaProfundisepta is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Profundisepta include:* Profundisepta alicei Profundisepta is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the...
McLean & Geiger, 1998 - Genus PuncturellaPuncturellaPuncturella is a genus of minute deepwater keyhole limpets, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets. -Species:Species in this genus include:* Puncturella abyssicola A.E...
R. T. Lowe, 1827 - Genus Pupilaea Gray In Sowerby, 1835
- Genus RimulaRimula (gastropod)Rimula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Rimula include:* Rimula aequisculpta Dall, 1927* Rimula dorriae Pérez Farfante, 1947...
DeFrance, 1827 - Genus Scelidotoma Choe, Yoon and Habe, 1992
- Genus ScutusScutusScutus is a genus of large sea snails or limpets with the common name "shield shells". These are marine gastropod molluscs in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets....
MontfortPierre Denys de MontfortPierre Denys de Montfort, also sometimes spelled "Pierre Dénys de Montfort", was a French naturalist, in particular a malacologist, remembered today for his pioneering inquiries into the existence of the giant squid Architeuthis, which was thought to be an old wives' tale, and for which he was...
, 1810 - Genus TugaliTugaliTugali is a genus of small sea snails or limpets, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole and slit limpets.-Species and subspecies:Species and subspecies within the genus Tugali include:...
Gray in Dieffenbach, 1843 - Genus Vacerrena IredaleTom IredaleTom Iredale was an English-born ornithologist and malacologist who had a long association with Australia, where he lived for most of his life. He was an autodidact who never went to university and lacked formal training...
, 1958 - Genus ZeidoraZeidoraZeidora is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-Species:Species within the genus Zeidora include:* Zeidora antarctica Aldea, Zelaya & Troncoso, 2011...
A. AdamsArthur Adams (zoologist)Arthur Adams was an English physician and naturalist.Adams was assistant surgeon on board H.M.S. "Actaeon" in company with HMS Samarang in the British Navy during the survey of the Malay Archipelago, the Japan Sea, Korea and China,from 1843 to 1846. He edited the Zoology of the voyage of H.M.S....
, 1860- Zeidora maoriaZeidora maoriaZeidora maoria is a species of small sea snail specifically a keyhole limpet, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets.-References:* Powell A W B, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1...
PowellArthur William Baden PowellDr Arthur William Baden Powell CBE was a New Zealand malacologist, naturalist and palaeontologist, a major influence in the study and classification of New Zealand molluscs through much of the twentieth century. He was known to his friends and family by his third name, "Baden".Powell was born at...
, 1937
- Zeidora maoria
External links
Further reading
- Sowerby, G.B. Jr. (1862). Monograph of the family Fissurellidae. Reprinted edition (1982). Thesaurus conchyliorum, or monographs of genera of shells. Luis Pisani Burnay: Lisboa, Portugal. 183-206, 9 col. Plates pp.