Scutellastra argenvillei

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Scutellastra argenvillei
Scientific classification
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S. argenvillei
Binomial name
Scutellastra argenvillei
(Krauss, 1848)
Synonyms
  • Patella (Scutellastra) argenvillei Krauss, 1848
  • Patella argenvillei Krauss, 1848

Scutellastra argenvillei or Argenville's limpet, is a

mollusk in the family Patellidae, one of the families of true limpets.[1]

It is endemic to the south and west coasts of Namibia and South Africa in southern Africa.[2]

Description

It is a large and relatively tall limpet, with an oval base, slightly narrower at one end, with a maximum size of about 90 mm. The outer surface has fine radiating ridges, and the apex is commonly eroded. Inner surface is generally white.[2]

Ecology

This limpet is abundant on moderately exposed shores in the low inter-tidal and shallow subtidal zone on the west coast of South Africa, but is being displaced by the invasive Mediterranean mussel

Mytilus galloprovincialis. The lower inter-tidal zone in this area is also referred to as the Cochlear-Argenvillei zone.[3] It feeds on kelp by trapping the edge of fronds under the edge of its shell while feeding.[2]

Scutellastra argenvillei, ventral view

References