Diodora meta is a species of marine snail, a sea snail, a gastropod mollusk in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets. This species is found in the intertidal zone and subtidal environments of the Pacific Ocean.
Description & Characteristics
Diodora meta exhibits a distinctive morphology characterized by its conical shell, which typically reaches a maximum size of 15 millimeters in length. The shell features a prominent apex, which is located towards the anterior end. The shell is typically a pale brown or gray color, with a smooth, glossy surface. The aperture of the shell, or opening, is oval-shaped and features a characteristic keyhole-shaped fissure located on the anterior margin. The aperture is the opening through which the snail extends its head and foot for feeding and locomotion.
Habitat and Occurrence
Diodora meta is primarily found in the intertidal zone and subtidal environments of the Pacific Ocean, where it is typically found attached to rocks, algae, and other hard substrates. Its distribution extends from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, south to California, and west to Japan. The species is commonly found in the neritic zone, which is the marine environment that extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
Diodora meta belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, which comprises a vast group of mollusks, characterized by their single spiral shell. The species is further classified within the Order: Lepetellida, a group of limpets that exhibit a unique shell morphology and feeding adaptations. Finally, Diodora meta is part of the Family: Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets, known for the distinctive fissure or keyhole-shaped opening on the anterior margin of their shells.
Feeding
Diodora meta is an herbivorous snail that feeds primarily on algae and other plant material. It uses its radula, a rasping tongue-like structure, to scrape algae off of rocks and other substrates. Like other keyhole limpets, Diodora meta exhibits a unique feeding strategy, using its keyhole-shaped fissure to siphon water for respiration and to expel waste.
Image References