Siphonariidae

Siphonariidae
Siphonaria limpet shell
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Orthogastropoda
Superorder:	Heterobranchia
Order:	Basommatophora
Family:	Siphonariidae J. E. Gray, 1840
Genera
See text.

Siphonariidae is a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized air-breathing sea snails, marine and brackish water pulmonate gastropod molluscs. These snails are sometimes known as "false limpets" because of the shape of the shell, but they are not at all closely related to true limpets. They breathe with a lung, not with gills, and are more closely related to freshwater air-breathing gastropods such as Lymnaea.

Shell description

Empty siphonariid limpet shells can be distinguished from true limpet shells by examining the interior. In the siphonariids there is a well-marked lateral groove on the right side of the shell, and a corresponding interruption of the ring of muscle attachment scars. These markers show the positioning of the pneumostome or pulmonary orifice.

Genera in the family Siphonariidae

• Benhamina Finlay, 1927
• Kerguelenella Powell, 1946
• Siphonaria G. B. Sowerby I, 1823
• Williamia di Monterosato, 1884

References

• "Siphonariidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
• Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
• Royal Society of New Zealand