Scutus petrafixus

, Scutus petrafixus

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf, Yellow Sea

Scutus petrafixus, commonly known as the “petra fixus scutus”, is a species of marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Fissurellidae. This unique species is renowned for its distinctive appearance and fascinating adaptations for survival in its marine environment.

Description & Characteristics

Scutus petrafixus showcases a flattened, oval-shaped shell, typically reaching a maximum size of around 25 millimeters. Its surface is adorned with numerous radial ribs, which contribute to its rough texture. The apex of the shell is situated near the anterior end, and a distinct, elongated slit is present along the dorsal surface, extending from the apex towards the posterior edge. This slit serves as a crucial element in the species’ respiratory system, allowing water flow for gas exchange.

Habitat and Occurrence

Scutus petrafixus is a marine species that primarily inhabits the intertidal zone, typically residing on rocky shores and reefs. This species is known for its preference for habitats with moderate wave action. Their distribution extends across various marine regions, particularly along the coastlines of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This includes both the epipelagic and neritic zones, indicating their adaptability to a range of depths.

Taxonomy

Scutus petrafixus is classified within the Class Gastropoda, the largest and most diverse class of mollusks, containing over 80,000 species. This species falls under the Order Lepetellida, characterized by a unique combination of morphological features and ecological adaptations. It is further categorized within the Family Fissurellidae, a group of marine snails that share the distinctive feature of a slit or hole in their shell.

Feeding

Scutus petrafixus is primarily an herbivore, relying on a diet of algae and diatoms. Its grazing behavior plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of its benthic ecosystem. The species uses its radula, a ribbon-like structure with teeth, to scrape algae off the substrate. This feeding mechanism allows Scutus petrafixus to efficiently extract nutrients from its food sources.

Associated Species

Image References

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