More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Molluscs of Zihuatanejo
PHYLUM MOLLUSCA
Crucibulum umbrella
-Gastropods (Class Gastropoda)
-Caenogastropods (Subclass Caenogastropoda)
-Order Littorinimorpha
-Superfamily Calyptraeoidea
-Slippersnails (Family Calyptraeidae)
-Cup-and-Saucer Limpets (Genus Crucibulum)
-Crucibulum umbrella
The Crucibulum umbrella (Crucibulum umbrella), also known as the umbrella slipper shell, is a distinctive marine snail found along rocky shores and reefs of the eastern Pacific. It is easily recognized by its low, cap-shaped shell with a broad, flared margin and a characteristic internal “cup” or shelf that resembles a small umbrella, which gives the species its common name. The shell is usually white to pale cream and often encrusted with algae or other organisms, helping it blend into its surroundings. This sedentary gastropod typically attaches firmly to rocks or other hard surfaces and feeds by filter-feeding, drawing in plankton and organic particles from the surrounding water.
Description
Crucibulum umbrella, commonly known as the umbrella cup-and-saucer snail, is a marine gastropod in the family Calyptraeidae. Its shell is cap-shaped, low-conical, and broadly rounded, with an off-centre, coiled apex. The exterior is typically cream, greyish-white, or tan, often with fine radial ribs and concentric growth lines. Inside, a distinctive curved, cup-like shelf extends from the shell wall, giving the animal its characteristic cup-and-saucer appearance. Adults generally reach approximately 35–55 mm across.
Range
This species is native to the eastern Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of California and western Mexico south along the Pacific coasts of Central America to Panama and the Galápagos region. It occurs along the coast of Guerrero, including Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Habitat
Crucibulum umbrella lives attached to hard surfaces in shallow coastal waters, including rocks, shells, and other firm substrates. It occurs in rocky intertidal and subtidal environments, as well as on mixed rocky and sandy seabeds, where its low profile helps it remain firmly attached to the substrate.
Diet
This species is a suspension feeder, capturing microscopic food particles from seawater with the aid of its gills and cilia. Its diet includes phytoplankton and fine suspended organic matter.