#fissurellidae

 Distinguished from true limpets by the breathing hole or slit on top of the shell. Oxygenated water enters under the edge of the shell near the head and passes over large paired gills, then out through the slit along with with waste products.

The family is usually found on or under rocks in the lower intertidal zone, and deeper waters. Most feed on plants and debris, but some prey on sponges, foraminifera, and diatoms.

Rough keyhole limpet (Diodora aspera)

'somewhat short shield'

AKA rori and ducksbill limpet

Originally described by Henri Ducrotay de Blainville in 1817 Blainville was a French zoologist and anatomist that coined the term paleontology in 1822.

In one of the deepest rockpools between the petrified trees. Native to New Zealand, and southern Australia.

Large slug-like molluscs up to 24cm long, and weighing a kilogram, and related to the slit limpets. The dark muscular mantle can completely cover the white oblong shell.

Photo by Karri Horton Hartley, on iNaturalist.

They avoid light, spending the day under boulders or in deep crevices, emerging to feed on Homosira, Ulva and other seaweeds, then returning to their home spot each morning.

Collected for food by the Maori.

Giant keyhole limpet (Megathura crenulata)

First time spotting a living keyhole limpet.

14/10/23 - Fissurellidae sp.