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.
Sowerby's Keyhole Limpet
(G. B. Sowerby I, 1835)
Lucapina sowerbii
Class:
Gastropoda
Order:
Lepetellida
Family:
Fissurellidae
Image Voucher:
ANSP 200176
Shell Information
Length (mm): 19-30
Dextral
Chirality:
This is a slightly conical shell that is relatively flat. It has a oval opening near the apex of the shell which is slightly forward and central. The shell has radial ridges that form small beads where they are crossed by finer concentric lines. This shell is brown to white with a white interior.
Description:
Ecological Information
Distribution:
Depth (m):
East Florida to Brazil
0 to 225 meters
Diet:
Herbivore; They graze on algae.
Habitat:
Marine; Hard substrate
Misc. Facts
Citations
MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Lucapina sowerbii (G. B. Sowerby I, 1835). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=419366 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.
Andrews, J. (1971). Seashells of the Texas Coast. University of Texas Press.