Monodilepas diemenensis

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Monodilepas diemenensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Archaeogastropoda
Family: Fissurellidae
Genus: Monodilepas
Species: M. diemenensis
Binomial name
Monodilepas diemenensis
Finlay, 1930

Monodilepas diemenensis is a keyhole limpet, which is a kind of sea snail. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets.

Contents

[edit] Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found around the Three Kings Islands and the northern tip of the North Island of New Zealand.

[edit] Habitat

This keyhole limpet is found under rocks in the intertidal zone.

[edit] Shell description

This small species has a much larger foramen or apical orifice than other members of the genus. The internal margin of the orifice is bounded by an oval to irregularly hexagonal callus. The posterior margin of the shell is raised and gaping, not flat as in the other members of the genus.

The maximum shell height is 4 mm, the width up to 9 mm, and the length up to 13 mm.

[edit] References