Sigapatella novaezelandiae facts for kids
Sigapatella novaezelandiae, also known as the circular slipper limpet, is a type of medium-sized sea snail. These fascinating creatures are a kind of gastropod mollusc that lives in the ocean. They belong to the family called Calyptraeidae.
Quick facts for kids Sigapatella novaezelandiae |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda clade Littorinimorpha |
| Superfamily: |
Calyptraeoidea
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| Family: |
Calyptraeidae
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| Genus: | |
| Species: |
S. novaezelandiae
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| Binomial name | |
| Sigapatella novaezelandiae (Lesson, 1831)
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| Synonyms | |
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What it Looks Like
The shell of an adult circular slipper limpet can be between 15 and 33 millimeters long. This is about the size of a small coin. The shell is usually white or yellowish-white. It has special lines that show how it grew over time.
The top, pointed part of the shell, called the spire, often has a light purple color. The shell is covered by a thin, yellowish, fibrous layer. This layer is called the periostracum. Inside, the shell is white, but it might have some purple spots or stains.
Where it Lives
This sea snail lives only in the waters around New Zealand. It is considered endemic to that area. This means you won't find it naturally anywhere else in the world.
