Pedicularia

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Pedicularia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Orthogastropoda
Superorder: Caenogastropoda
Order: Sorbeoconcha
Suborder: Hypsogastropoda
Infraorder: Littorinimorpha
Superfamily: Cypraeoidea
Family: Ovulidae
Genus: Pedicularia
Swainson, 1840
Species

See text.

Pedicularia is a genus of small predatory or ectoectoparasitic sea snails, cowry-like marine gastropod molluscs in the family Ovulidae, the cowry allies. These snails live on and feed on certain corals.

Members of this genus have small, apparently cap-shaped, shells. The outer lip of the aperture is thin, irregular, and is often flared to fit the base of attachment, which is usually a stylasterid coral.

Species occur in most warm seas, at moderate depth.

[edit] Species

  • Pedicularia californica Newcomb, 1864 - California pedicularia
  • Pedicularia decussata Gould, 1855 - hatched pedicularia
  • Pedicularia pacifica Pease, 1865

[edit] References