Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Family Patellidae Scientific name Patella aspera | Phylum Mollusca Superfamily Patelloidea Genus Patella Rank Species | |
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Similar Patella candei, Patella ulyssiponensis, Patella, Patella rustica, Patella depressa | ||
Patella aspera is a species of limpet, a type of sea snail in the family Patellidae. Long considered to be a subspecies of Patella ulyssiponensis, genetic evidence supports its recognition as a separate species. It is native to Macaronesia. It is known by the common name Azorean limpet, and its local name is lapa brava.
This species lives on rocks in the shallow sublittoral and intertidal zones. It is a keystone species which is of ecological importance as a grazer.
It is collected for food. Overharvest is the main threat to the species, which has faced population declines and collapse of its fishery. Harvest has been banned in some areas. Overharvest is particularly damaging to the species because larger individuals are targeted, and these are more likely to be female. The species is protandric, with individuals being born male and often becoming female with age. The loss of the individuals that grow large enough to turn female leaves the population without enough breeding females.