Patellidae
Family of gastropods
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Patellidae is a taxonomic family of true limpets, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Patelloidea.[1] (The superfamily Patelloidea should not be confused with the similar-sounding genus of true limpets Patelloida which is in the family Lottiidae within the superfamily Lottioidea, also part of the Patellogastropoda.)
| Patellidae | |
|---|---|
| |
| A group of live Patella vulgata on an intertidal rock | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Patellogastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Patelloidea |
| Family: | Patellidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
| Genera | |
|
4 extant genera (see text) | |
The largest known limpet in the world is Scutellastra mexicana that can reach 35.5 cm (14.0 in) in length.[2]
Taxonomy
A cladogram showing phylogenic relations of Patellogastropoda based on molecular phylogeny research by Nakano & Ozawa (2007):[3]
| Patellogastropoda |
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Genera
There are four extant genera in the family Patellidae:[1]
- Cymbula H. & A. Adams, 1854
- Helcion Montfort, 1810
- Patella Linnaeus, 1758
- Scutellastra H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
There are two exclusively fossil genera:[1]
- † Berlieria de Loriol, 1903
- † Proscutum P. Fischer, 1885
Synonyms
Synonyms include the following:[1]
- Ansates G.B. Sowerby II [ex Klein], 1839: synonym of Patella Linnaeus, 1758
- Laevipatella Pallary, 1920: synonym of Cymbula H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
- Patellanax Iredale, 1924: synonym of Scutellastra H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854 (junior synonym)
- Patellidea Thiele, 1891: synonym of Scutellastra H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
- Patellona Thiele, 1891: synonym of Cymbula H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
- Patina Gray, 1847: synonym of Patella Linnaeus, 1758
- Patinastra Thiele, 1891: synonym of Helcion Montfort, 1810
- Penepatella Iredale, 1929: synonym of Scutellastra H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854 (junior synonym)
Human uses
Some limpet species in this family are used as a food source in various countries.[2]
A study of Patella caerulea found that this limpet reduced the cover of algae and barnacles on steel panels suspended in sea water in a commercial port, suggesting that the limpet could be used to inhibit fouling of ship hulls.[4]
