Patelloida corticata

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Patelloida corticata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Patellogastropoda
Suborder: Nacellina
Superfamily: Lottioidea
Family: Acmaeidae
Genus: Atalacmea
Species: A. fragilis
Binomial name
Patelloida corticata
(Hutton, 1880)
Synonyms

Acmaea corticata Hutton, 1880
Acmaea lacunosa Pilsbry, 1891
Acmaea stella Suter, 1907
Acmaea pseudocorticata Iredale, 1908
Patelloida corticata corallina Oliver, 1926

Patelloida corticata is a species of sea snail or true limpet, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Acmaeidae.

Contents

[edit] Distribution

This limpet is endemic to New Zealand.

[edit] Habitat

This species is abundant in the intertidal zone in clear water situations.

[edit] Description

The shell is thick, porcellaneous, radially ridged, the margin varyingly crenulated according to the strength or alternation in size of the ribbing, and the shape in response to the physical factors associated with the habitat. The exterior of the shell is invariably encrusted with Melobesia coralline algae. Internally the shell may be almost entirely porcellaneous-white, or there may be a narrow marginal border of dark-brown markings, either confined to the terminal points of the ribs, or joined up in a continuous scalloped border. The muscle attachment mark on the underside of the shell varies from clearly defined in dark brown to obscured by white callus.

Length is up to 14 mm, width up to 13 mm, and height up to 9 mm.

[edit] References