Atalacmea fragilis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atalacmea fragilis |
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| Shell of Atalacmea fragilis (specimen at MNHN, Paris) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Patellogastropoda
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| Superfamily: |
Lottioidea
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| Family: |
Lottiidae
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| Genus: |
Atalacmea
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| Species: |
A. fragilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Atalacmea fragilis (Sowerby, 1823)
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| Synonyms | |
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Patella fragilis Sowerby, 1823 |
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Atalacmea fragilis is a type of small sea creature known as a limpet. It's a kind of sea snail that lives in the ocean. These fascinating animals are part of a larger group called molluscs, which also includes clams and octopuses. Atalacmea fragilis belongs to the family Lottiidae, which are known as "true limpets."
Contents
What is a Limpet?
A limpet is a type of sea snail with a special shell shaped like a cone or a shallow hat. Unlike many snails, limpets do not have a coiled shell. They use their strong, muscular "foot" to cling tightly to rocks. This helps them stay safe from crashing waves and predators.
How Limpets Live
Limpets are usually found in the intertidal zone. This is the area along the coast that is covered by water during high tide and exposed to air during low tide. They mostly eat algae and tiny plants that grow on rocks. They scrape their food using a ribbon-like tongue called a radula, which has many tiny teeth.
Where Atalacmea fragilis Lives
This specific type of limpet, Atalacmea fragilis, lives in the ocean waters around New Zealand. It is a marine species, meaning it lives in saltwater environments. Scientists first described this species in 1823.
What is a Mollusc?
Atalacmea fragilis is a mollusc. Molluscs are a very diverse group of soft-bodied animals. Many of them, like snails and clams, have a hard outer shell for protection. This group includes snails, slugs, clams, oysters, squids, and octopuses. They are one of the largest groups of animals on Earth.
Gastropods: The "Stomach-Foot" Animals
Limpets are also part of a class of molluscs called Gastropoda. The word "gastropod" means "stomach-foot." This name comes from the way these animals move. They use a large, flat foot located on the underside of their body. This foot helps them crawl along surfaces. Snails and slugs are also gastropods.
See also
In Spanish: Atalacmea fragilis para niños
