Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Family Patellidae Scientific name Cymbula oculus | Phylum Mollusca Superfamily Patelloidea Genus Cymbula Rank Species | |
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Similar Cymbula granatina, Scutellastra cochlear, Scutellastra longicosta, Cymbula compressa, Scutellastra tabularis | ||
Cymbula oculus is a species of sea snail, a true limpet, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Patellidae, one of the families of true limpets.
Contents
Description
The shell is low, and a dull brown on the outside. It has about 10 major ribs. The margin of the interior is broad and black, with a light pinkish brown centre. Juveniles are yellow with iridescent green flecks. Attains up to 100mm length.
Distribution
South coast of South Africa.
Habitat
Inhabits the rocky mid-shore zone.
Biology
Protandrous hermaphrodite, changing to female at about 2 to 3 years. Consumes algae, and large individuals defend themselves by clamping down their shell edges on the predators. Commensal flatworm Notoplana patellarum lives in the gill cavity under the shell. Harvested for food in the Transkei (Eastern Cape).