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)
Tag: Gastropods
Common dogwhelk (Nucella dubia)
Details of the yellow speckled foot of the common dogwhelk. Doringbaai, Western Cape (2020). Extraordinarily variable (hence, dubia). Aperture usually large. Body whorl weakly ridged. Colour variable, from grey with black flames, to red-brown with dotted bands, plain grey or brown. Aperture usually dark, often purple. About 20 mm. Extends almost to the high-tide mark… Continue reading Common dogwhelk (Nucella dubia)
Striped bubble shell (Hydatina physis)
Details of the two eye-spots visible in the gap of the headshield. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024) - iNaturalist Also called the striped paper bubble, green-lined paper bubble, brown-lined paper bubble, and rose petal bubble shell. Shell external, delicate and oval, bearing numerous spiral brown lines. Foot large and pink with thin wavy margin edged… Continue reading Striped bubble shell (Hydatina physis)
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)
Slipper limpet (Crepidula porcellana)
Slipper limpet found attached on the shell of a Burnupena whelk. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2022). Shell in the shape of a tear, with concave internal shelf. Surface smooth, usually brown. About 15 mm. Lives attached on other shells, frequently forming stacks, one on top of another. Changes sex as it matures : the larger… Continue reading Slipper limpet (Crepidula porcellana)
Yellow-banded hermit crab (Clibanarius virescens)
Specimen of yellow-banded hermit crab peaking out of a scaly dogwhelk (Nucella squamosa) shell and trying to flip himself. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Body olive-green. Nippers about equal in size, spotted with yellow. Fingers yellow with black tips. Walking legs banded with yellow. Between 10 and 20 mm. Abundant hermit crab in mid-to-high shore… Continue reading Yellow-banded hermit crab (Clibanarius virescens)
Alikreukel (Turbo sarmaticus)
Large alikreukel covered in spiral fanworms (Spirorbis spp.) and pinkish barnacles. Old Woman's River, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also called the giant periwinkle, or the South African turban shell. Large and round, height less than width. About three rows of low nodules spiral around each whorl - though they may erode and disappear in… Continue reading Alikreukel (Turbo sarmaticus)
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)
Colonial worm-shell (Dendropoma corallinaceum)
A colony of colonial worm-shell on a rock boulder. Jacobsbaai, Western Cape (2020) - iNaturalist A small gregarious species forming an intertwining mass of long, white, worm-like tubes, often sunken into encrusting coralline algae. Operculum present. About 10 mm long. A filter-feeder which spins a mucus net to trap floating particles. Two Oceans: A Guide… Continue reading Colonial worm-shell (Dendropoma corallinaceum)
Crowned turban shell (Lunella coronata)
Eroded crowned turban shell in a shallow rock pool. Port St Johns, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Distinguished by its operculum, which has a greenish tinge and is smooth or has only a faint granulation. Shell with strong, spirally-arranged nodules, the uppermost row on the body whorl being particularly well developed and forming… Continue reading Crowned turban shell (Lunella coronata)
F*CK FISH 