Cellana tramoserica
Variegated limpet
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Orange-brown limpet with dark radiating stripes or crescent-shaped markings. Variable up to 35mm in height and up to 70mm long, with 30-40 strong radial ribs. Flatter specimens found in areas of high wave motion, taller shells further up the shore line. Dense populations of limpets are important in controlling the growth of algae on many rock platforms because of the intensity of their grazing activity. Animals return to the same home spot after each feeding excursion, using chemical sensors to retrace their mucous trail home.
Information
Max Size: 7 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 15-22.5°C
Depth: Intertidal
Habitat Generalization Index: N/A
Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.
Conservation and Rarity
IUCN Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Infrequent (1.9% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Many (15 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney