Malacology
Malacology is the study of mollusks. This includes animals like octopus, snails, slugs, and clams. It is the second largest phylum of animals, making them one of the most successful groups on the planet. There are over 80,000 described species of mollusks with many more left to be discovered. Mullusca is composed of 8 recognized classes including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Polyplacophora, Scaphapoda, Monoplacophorans, the Aplacophorans, Caudofoveata and Solenogastres, and Bivalvia.
Knobbed Keyhole Limpet
(Born, 1778)
Fissurella nodosa
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Lepetellida
Family:
Fissurellidae

Image Voucher:
ANSP 225639
Shell Information
Length (mm): 24-40
Dextral
Chirality:
This is an oval shaped shell (except for nodule protrusions at base) that is highly elevated. It has an elongated slit near the apex of the shell that is slightly forward and central. It has radial ribs with characteristic nodules that increase in size further from the apex. The color can vary from white to gray-brown to pinkish and it has a white interior.
Description:
Ecological Information
Distribution:
Depth (m):
Florida Keys to Trinidad
0 to 1 meters
Diet:
Herbivore; They graze on algae.
Habitat:
Marine; Rocky intertidal zone
Misc. Facts
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Fissurella nodosa (Born, 1778). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=419357 on 2021-06-23
Rosenberg, G., F. Moretzsohn, and E. F. Garc�a. 29. Gastropoda (Mollusca) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 579�699 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico�Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas.