The Slit Limpet, Pink Slit Limpet, Pink Emarginula – Emarginula fissura is a species of marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Fissurellidae. This small, distinctive limpet is characterized by its elongated, oval shell and a prominent slit or fissure near the apex.
Description & Characteristics
The shell of Emarginula fissura can reach a maximum size of approximately 20 mm in length. Its color can vary from a pale cream to a deep pink, often with brown or reddish markings. The shell is typically smooth and glossy, with a slightly raised, conical apex. The characteristic slit, or fissure, near the apex serves as an outlet for waste products and allows for the exchange of water within the mantle cavity.
Habitat and Occurrence
Emarginula fissura prefers a variety of rocky habitats, including coastal shores, rock coasts, and subtidal regions. It can be found in both shallow and deeper waters, inhabiting the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zones of the oceans. This species is particularly common in the neritic zone, which extends from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth.
Taxonomy
The species Emarginula fissura belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Lepetellida, and Family: Fissurellidae. This classification places it among the diverse group of snails and slugs, highlighting its close relationship to other limpet species.
Distribution and Occurrence
The Slit Limpet, Pink Slit Limpet, Pink Emarginula (Emarginula fissura) is found in various locations throughout the world. Its presence in the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zones of the oceans from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth. neritic makes it a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems.
Feeding
Currently, no reliable information is available regarding the specific feeding habits of Emarginula fissura. However, it is generally believed that these limpets are predatory, likely feeding on small invertebrates and algae found within their rocky habitats.
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