Scutus

Scutus
a live Scutus sinensis
Dorsal view of a shell of Scutus breviculus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Vetigastropoda
Order: Lepetellida
Family: Fissurellidae
Subfamily: Emarginulinae
Genus: Scutus
Blainville, 1817
Type species
Scutus antipodes
Montfort, 1810
Synonyms
  • Aviscutum Iredale, 1940
  • Nannoscutum Iredale, 1937
  • Parmophorus Blainville, 1817 (unnecessary substitute name for Scutus)
  • Scutum P. Fischer, 1885 (invalid: unjustified emendation of Scutus)
  • Scutus (Aviscutum) Iredale, 1940
Scutus
A live individual

Scutus is a genus of large sea snails or limpets with the common name "shield shells". These are marine gastropod molluscs in the family Fissurellidae, the keyhole limpets and slit limpets.

Both the common name and the scientific name reflect the fact that the shells of species in this genus resemble a Roman shield.

Description

The animal itself has a large black mantle which usually completely covers the shell, giving the animal a superficially slug-like appearance.

Species

Species within the genus Scutus include:

Species brought into synonymy

References

  1. 1 2 Bouchet, P. (2012). Scutus Montfort, 1810. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=204176 on 2013-01-20
  2. ↑ Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
  3. ↑ Worldwide Mollusc Species Sata Base: Scutus scapha