Diversity and taxonomy of the intertidal patellogastropod limpets of the mainland Indian coastline
Author
Vakani, Bhavik
Author
Nakano, Tomoyuki
Author
Kundu, Rahul
text
Zootaxa
2020
2020-01-22
4728
2
211
226
journal article
24285
10.11646/zootaxa.4728.2.3
a8c38e7a-cd5a-4aec-87ac-8feff87bd53c
1175-5326
3621133
DE9D4C0F-D6BA-455D-8556-595761586AC6
Cellana rota
Gmelin, 1791
(
Fig. 4
,
Fig. 9c
)
Descrpition.
Shell reaches up to
40 mm
in length; almost circular, broader posteriorly, moderately elevated. Apex blunt, sub-central. Sculpture consisting of numerous, narrow, radial riblets, numbering from 69 to 98. Coloration variable, often yellowish with radial rays of blackish-brown, interspersed with whitish rays, with 11 to 12 bifid radial streaks in brown; inner surface of shell mostly translucent. Foot creamy-white in colour. Same coloration observed at tip of cephalic tentacles, which covers one third of its length. Each unit of mantle skirt has two large tentacles protected by four pairs of small units of tentacles. These units consist of three tentacles in which middle one is bigger than other two.
Radular morphology
(
Fig. 9c
). Radula
type
: docoglossan formula: 1 + D1 + 1 + D1 +1. The radular ribbon of
C. rota
is similar to that of individuals of the
C. radiata
series. In every row, there is a spear-shaped very small rachidian or middle tooth. There was one bifurcated lateral tooth on each side. One dominant marginal tooth also bifurcated on each side.
Materials Examined.
Specimens were collected from Kovalam coast, Travancore coast
Kerala
,
India
(
8°23’41.43”N
,
76°58'16.25"E
). Six specimens (Length 14.5–30.3 ±
6.64 mm
, Width 11.6–27.3 ±
6.09 mm
and Height 4.9–12.8 ± 2.97 were examined. Two specimen having Museum ID: ZMGDNC78.10, ZMGDNC83.21, coll. Bhavik Vakani, were deposited in the Museum.
Remark.
Powell (1973)
included it under species
C
.
radiata
series, but our specimens showed more similarity with
C. rota
which is now regarded as a separate species (WoRMS, 2017).
Habitat.
Puddles and crevices of middle to upper littoral zones of the intertidal.
Distribution.
This species is available throughout the mainland Indian coastline except the south Saurashtra coastline of the
Gujarat state
.