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
Diodora Keyhole Limet
Diodora (Genus)
-Gastropods (Class Gastropoda)
-Subclass Vetigastropoda
-Order Lepetellida
-Superfamily Fissurelloidea
-Keyhole Limpets (Family Fissurellidae)
-Subfamily Fissurellideinae
-Genus Diodora
Diodora is a genus of marine gastropods commonly known as keyhole limpets, belonging to the family Fissurellidae. Keyhole limpets in the genus Diodora have a distinctive low, cap-shaped shell resembling a traditional limpet, but with a defining feature: a hole or slit at the top (apex) of the shell. This opening allows water to exit from the mantle cavity after passing over the gills, aiding in respiration and waste removal. The animal beneath the shell has a broad, muscular foot that clings tightly to hard substrates. Like most limpets, Diodora species are primarily grazers, feeding on algae, biofilm, and microscopic organisms scraped from rock surfaces using a radula (a rasping, tongue-like feeding structure).
Description
Diodora is a genus of marine limpets in the family Fissurellidae, commonly called keyhole limpets. Their shells are low, cone-shaped, and usually oval, with strong radial ribs and a distinctive opening or “keyhole” near the apex through which water exits from the mantle cavity. Shells are commonly white, cream, tan, or mottled brown and may have sharply sculptured ribs or scales. Species in the genus vary considerably in size and appearance.
Range
Diodora is widely distributed in tropical and temperate marine waters, with numerous species occurring along the eastern Pacific coast from the Gulf of California and western Mexico south through Central and South America. Members of the genus occur around Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
Habitat
Diodora species live firmly attached to hard substrates, especially rocky shores, reef surfaces, boulders, and rock crevices. They are primarily intertidal and shallow subtidal animals and often occupy sheltered depressions or the undersides of rocks where they can avoid excessive drying and wave action.
Diet
Keyhole limpets are primarily herbivorous grazers, using their radula to scrape microscopic algae, diatoms, and other organic films from rocks. Some species also consume encrusting organisms and detrital material while grazing across the surface of the substrate.