Mirror Limpets [Helcion]

Description

Helcion is a genus within the family Patellidae, known for its relatively smooth and often mirror-like shells. These limpets are primarily found in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around the coasts of South Africa and in parts of the Atlantic Ocean. Helcion species prefer rocky shores where they can firmly attach themselves to the substrate. They are adapted to varying levels of wave exposure, from high to moderate. Their diet consists mostly of algae, which they graze on using a specialized feeding organ called a radula. The smooth, often glossy appearance of their shells helps in reducing drag from water movement and may assist in predator evasion.

Species
Mirror Limpet
Mirror Limpet [Notoacmea insessa]
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Wellington Limpet
Wellington Limpet [Notoacmea helmsi]
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Taxonomy
Phylum Mollusks
Mollusca
Class Gastropods
Gastropoda
Order Littorinimorpha
Littorinimorpha
Family True Limpets
Patellidae
Statistics
  • Species 2