Puncturella galeata (Gould, 1846) 

Common name(s): 
Synonyms:
Phylum Mollusca
 Class Gastropoda
  Subclass Prosobranchia
   Order Archaegastropoda
    Suborder Pleurotomariina
     Family Fissurellidae
Puncturella galeata from 100 m depth, San Juan Channel.  Width about 1.5 cm, 2 cm long.
(Photo by: Dave Cowles July 2000)
Description:  This limpetlike shell has a long slit just anterior to the apex of the shell.  The anterior slope of the shell does not have a seam running down it.  The height is slightly less than the width, and total length is up to 2 cm.

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Puncturellas have the narrow slit anterior to the apex.  Several species have a seam running down the anterior slope of the shell.  P. cooperi grows up to 1 cm long and has a height about equal to the width.

Geographical Range: Alaska to California

Depth Range: Fairly deep water

Habitat:_

Biology/Natural History: I have found Puncturellas only in deep trawls (in the San Juan channel)


 
Return to:
Main Page Alphabetic Index Systematic Index Glossary

References:

Dichotomous Keys:
Kozloff 1987, 1996
 

General References:
Morris, 1966

Web resources:
Seashells of British Columbia page Note:  The puncturella on this page does not look like this puncturella
Shells of the World, volume 1

Scientific Articles:
 


General Notes and Observations:  Locations, abundances, unusual behaviors:


A closeup view of the slit.  Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2000


Two different individuals.  Photo by Dave Cowles July 2000


The inside of the shell is uniformly white.  Photo by Dave Cowles July 2000


Authors and Editors of Page:
Dave Cowles (2005):  Created original page