Scutus anatinus, commonly known as the duck's bill limpet or the shield shell, is a species of sea snail or limpet, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets.<sup>[1]</sup>
Description
Unlike most gastropods, the shell of Scutus anatinus is internal and covered by the mantle, appearing as a dark, leathery oval with a pale, protruding dorsal "slit" or shield. The animal itself is large and black, with a distinctive elongated "snout" and broad lateral extensions of the mantle that give it its common name, resembling a duck's bill. The internal shell is solid, white, and ear-shaped (otioid), providing structural support. The length of the shell attains 73.7 mm.
Habitat and Ecology
This species is a herbivorous grazer, feeding primarily on algae and micro-organisms it scrapes from rock surfaces using its radula. It is primarily nocturnal, hiding in crevices or under rocks during the day and emerging at night to feed. Like other fissurellids, it is not a true limpet but belongs to a different evolutionary lineage within the Vetigastropoda.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
The species has a complex taxonomic history with several synonyms, largely due to its variable external appearance and the early description of its internal shell as a separate entity. The genus name Scutus is Latin for "shield," referring to the shape of the internal shell, while the species epithet anatinus means "duck-like."
Synonyms
Parmophorus convexus Quoy & Gaimard, 1834
Patella ambigua Dillwyn, 1817
Patella anatina Donovan, 1820 (basionym)
Scutus ambiguus (Dillwyn, 1817)
Scutus astrolabeus Hedley, 1917
Scutus australis (Lamarck, 1822)
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Distribution
This species is endemic to Australian waters. This marine species occurs off Australia, with a range extending from southern Queensland, around Tasmania, to western Australia. It is commonly found in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, often in rocky habitats and crevices.
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