Patellidae


Patellidae is a taxonomic family of true limpets, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Patelloidea.
The largest known limpet in the world is Scutellastra mexicana that can reach in length.

Taxonomy

A cladogram showing phylogenic relations of Patellogastropoda based on molecular phylogeny research by Nakano & Ozawa :

Genera

There are four extant genera in the family Patellidae:
There are two exclusively fossil genera:
  • † Berlieria de Loriol, 1903
  • † Proscutum P. Fischer, 1885

    Synonyms

Synonyms include the following:
  • Ansates G.B. Sowerby II , 1839: synonym of Patella Linnaeus, 1758
  • Laevipatella Pallary, 1920: synonym of Cymbula H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
  • Patellanax Iredale, 1924: synonym of Scutellastra H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
  • Patellidea Thiele, 1891: synonym of Scutellastra H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
  • Patellona Thiele, 1891: synonym of Cymbula H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854
  • Patina Gray, 1847: synonym of Patella Linnaeus, 1758
  • Patinastra Thiele, 1891: synonym of Helcion Montfort, 1810
  • Penepatella Iredale, 1929: synonym of Scutellastra H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854

    Human uses

Some limpet species in this family are used as a food source in various countries.
A study of Patella caerulea found that this limpet reduced the cover of algae and barnacles on steel panels suspended in sea water in a commercial port, suggesting that the limpet could be used to inhibit fouling of ship hulls.