Scutus
Scutus is a genus of marine gastropods in the family Scutulidae. These snails are commonly known as “shield snails” due to their distinctive, flattened, shield-shaped shells. They are small, typically reaching a maximum size of a few centimeters, and are found in a variety of marine environments, including intertidal zones, rocky shores, and seagrass meadows.
Characteristics
Scutus snails have several characteristic features that distinguish them from other gastropod families. Their shells are typically oval or rounded in shape and are flattened, giving them a shield-like appearance. The shell is often smooth or slightly sculptured with fine lines or ridges. The aperture, or opening of the shell, is wide and rounded, and the lip is usually thickened. The operculum, a tough, horny plate that closes the aperture when the snail retracts, is present but small and thin.
Environment
Scutus snails are found in a variety of marine environments, but they are most common in intertidal zones and rocky shores. They typically live in areas with moderate wave action and are often found attached to rocks, algae, or other hard substrates. Some species may also occur in seagrass meadows or on sandy bottoms.
Distribution
The genus Scutus is found in temperate and tropical waters around the world. They are particularly common in the Indo-Pacific region, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Species
The genus Scutus includes several species, including:
- Scutus unguis (Linnaeus, 1758) – the type species
- Scutus anatinus (Lamarck, 1819)
- Scutus antarcticus (Powell, 1951)
- Scutus antillarum (Dall, 1903)
- Scutus brevicula (Sowerby, 1838)
- Scutus concinnus (A. Adams, 1854)
- Scutus crenatus (Gmelin, 1791)
- Scutus dentatus (Wood, 1828)
- Scutus floridanus (Dall, 1903)
- Scutus laevigatus (Anton, 1839)
- Scutus modestus (Sowerby, 1838)
- Scutus monodon (Troschel, 1859)
- Scutus pellucens (Gould, 1852)
- Scutus perspectivus (A. Adams, 1854)
- Scutus rugosus (Philippi, 1845)
- Scutus scutulum (Linnaeus, 1767)
- Scutus sinensis (Gmelin, 1791)
- Scutus spiratus (Montagu, 1803)