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Calyptraea is a genus of gastropod molluscs which includes forms presenting some resemblance in habits and external appearance to the limpets, to which they are not nearly related. Externally the shell appears simple and cap- shaped, but beneath the apex there is a concealed inner whorl.
 Research Calyptraea
Cerithium are a genus of gastropod molluscs. The shell is turreted and many- whorled with a small aperture, and anterior and posterior canals, the latter being the less distinctive of the two. The numerous species are widely distributed, but the most typical are tropical.
Research Cerithium
Conus is a genus of gastropod molluscs of the family Conidae (the cone-shells). They are found in the southern and tropical seas.
Research Conus
The Cowrie or Cowry (Cyproea) is a marine gastropod mollusc with an oval shell which in some species is the size of a hen's egg. In all species the spire present in the young shell is concealed in the adult, and the outer lip of the shell is thickened and inflected, so that the aperture becomes long and narrow.
Research Cowrie
Fissurellidae (keyhole limpets) is a family of gastropod molluscs resembling the limpets in appearance and habits, but differing in structure. They are generally too large for their shell, and so it appears that the shell is rudimentary.
Research Fissurellidae
Fusus is a genus of gastropod molluscs nearly allied to the Murex with a spindle-shaped univalve shell. The genus comprises many species. The red whelk of England, the 'roaring buckie' of the Scotch, is the Fusus antiquus.
Research Fusus
The gastropods (Gastropoda) are a class of mollusc, consisting of animals generally inhabiting a univalve shell, although some of the group are wholly devoid of a shell. Generally the shell is cone-shaped and spiral. The distinguishing characteristic however, is the foot, which is broad, muscular, disc-like and attached to the ventral surface.
Research Gastropod
Limnaeus is a genus of gastropod molluscs which includes some common pond snails. They breath air, the mantle chamber being converted into a 'lung'. Unlike their terrestrial allies, they are adapted for life in water, rising to the surface to breathe only at intervals. The shells are elongated, spirally-coiled and thin and of a horny texture. They are herbivorous, and may be kept to keep down algae.
Research Limnaeus
Limpets are gastropod molluscs, characterised by the simple cap-shaped shell, and by the nature of the radula or tooth-ribbon. Limpets breed in spring and the young are ciliated free-swimming larvae, devoid of shells. The foot is an almost circular mass of muscle; around it is visible the mantle, lining the shell, and bearing a circlet of vascular folds which functionally replace the missing gills. The mouth is at the end of a short proboscis; within it lies the very long radula, by means of which the limpet rasps its food from the surface of rocks. At either side of the mouth are the tentacles, bearing each an eye at its base.
Research Limpet
Magilus is a genus of gastropod molluscs, the members of which live among corals. The become gradually sunk in the coral, and would soon be entirely buried were it not that they possess the ability of producing the shell into a tube whose growth keeps pace with that of the coral. The process continues until the shell loses all trace of its original shape, its whorls being filled up with lime, while the animal occupies the tubular prolongation.
Research Magilus
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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