Adult and juvenile ribbed false-limpets on an exposed rock. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Previously called Siphonaria deflexa. Apex of the shell almost central, smooth, white and oval. Outline oval but slightly swollen on the right to accommodate a siphon that extends outwards from the lung cavity. Ribs well-spaced and never prickly, with 20-25 (or… Continue reading Ribbed false-limpet (Siphonaria concinna)
Category: Limpets
Eastern granular limpet (Scutellastra natalensis)
Eastern granular limpets on a rock face, showing the black granules that decorate their fine ribs. Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal (2021). Previously known as Patella echinulata or Patella natalensis. Roughly oval, with approximately 50 fine ribs textured with black granules (and not white as in Scutellastra granularis). Often eroded, smoothing the ribs and revealing a brown… Continue reading Eastern granular limpet (Scutellastra natalensis)
Cape false-limpet (Siphonaria capensis)
Two Cape false-limpets (Siphonaria capensis) in a shallow rock pool. Mosselbaai, Western Cape (2022) - iNaturalist Apex of the shell almost central. Outline oval but slightly swollen on the right to accommodate a siphon that extends outwards from the lung cavity. About 40-50 low, flat ribs that are roughly equal in size and scarcely project,… Continue reading Cape false-limpet (Siphonaria capensis)
Bearded limpet (Scutellastra barbara)
A bearded limpet on a rock surface. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Highly variable, but typically tall, with strong, spiky ribs. Sides of the foot white, speckled grey. About 80 mm. Maximum size : 100 mm (Kensley, 1973; Kilburn & Rippey, 1982). Occurs on the low-shore and subtidally. On the East Coast, it defends 'gardens'… Continue reading Bearded limpet (Scutellastra barbara)
Pink-rayed limpet (Cymbula miniata)
Pink-rayed limpet overgrown by algae. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Shell thin, flat and nearly oval, with about 80 fine riblets that alternate in size and are slightly prickly. Pale, shot with numerous beautiful pink rays. Interior pale in the center and with a bluish sheen over the pink rays. About 80 mm.… Continue reading Pink-rayed limpet (Cymbula miniata)
Kelp limpet (Cymbula compressa)
Kelp limpet on a drifting kelp stem. Mouille Point, Cape Town, Western Cape (2020) - iNaturalist Shell elongated, the sides compressed so that the opening is concave, designed to fit a cylindrical kelp stem. Shell 'rocks' on a flat surface. Outer surface brown, finely ribbed. Interior blue-white to brown. About 90 mm. Found almost exclusively… Continue reading Kelp limpet (Cymbula compressa)
Rayed limpet (Helcion pruinosus)
Rayed limpet with iridescent green spots and rays in a shallow rock pool. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Shell low, fragile and oval. Apex about one-third from the front margin. Surface smooth, pale brown, shot with beautiful iridescent green spots and rays. About 25 mm. Hides beneath low-shore boulders during the day, and… Continue reading Rayed limpet (Helcion pruinosus)
Goat’s eye limpet (Cymbula oculus)
Goat's eye limpet with Ralfsia covering its shell and a little blurry isopod. Mosselbaai, Western Cape (2022). Shell flat, dull brown above, with above 10 major ribs that project from the margin. Interior with a broad black margin and a pink-brown center. Juveniles are yellow, with iridescent green flecks. About 100 mm. Lives in the… Continue reading Goat’s eye limpet (Cymbula oculus)
Prickly limpet (Helcion pectunculus)
Two limpets with eroded tips in a rock crevice. Doringbaai, Northern Cape (2020) - iNaturalist Shell tall, oval in outline, apex positioned very close to the anterior end, dark brown in colour with about 26 black ribs that are distinctively prickled. About 30 mm. Lives very high on the shore, concealed in crevices or beneath… Continue reading Prickly limpet (Helcion pectunculus)
Duck’s foot limpet (Scutellastra longicosta)
Two adult limpets surrounded by their algal garden. Fishhoek, Western Cape (2020). Also called 'long-spined limpet'. Shell star-shaped, with about 11 very long projecting ribs. Interior white or blue-white with a black edging. About 70 mm. Juveniles live on other shells, feeding on the encrusting alga Ralfsia. Sub-adults then move to the rock face and… Continue reading Duck’s foot limpet (Scutellastra longicosta)
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