Scutus breviculus

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Scutus breviculus

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Archaeogastropoda
Family: Fissurellidae
Genus: Scutus
Species: S. breviculus
Binomial name
Scutus breviculus
Blainville, 1817

Scutus breviculus is a species of large sea snail or limpet with the common name "shield shell" . 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.

[edit] Habitat

This species of shield snail is found under rocks in the intertidal zone, all around New Zealand's coast.

[edit] Description

The animal is a large black slug, many times larger than the shell, and with large blunt tentacles, the eyes at their outer bases. The shell is solid, white, or brownish on the dorsal surface, oblong with the posterior end rounded and the anterior end truncated and broadly sinuated. It is shaped like a Roman shield, from which it obtains its common name.

Scutus breviculus underside
Scutus breviculus underside

The maximum shell length is 70 mm, and the maximum width is 38 mm.

[edit] References