Siphonariidae

Taxobox
name = Siphonariidae


image_caption = "Siphonaria" limpet shell
image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
subclassis = Orthogastropoda
superordo = Heterobranchia
ordo = Basommatophora
familia = Siphonariidae
familia_authority = J. E. Gray, 1840
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = See text.
synonyms =

Siphonariidae is a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized air-breathing sea snails, marine and brackish water pulmonate gastropod molluscs. These snails are sometimes known as "false limpets" because of the shape of the shell, but they are not at all closely related to true limpets. They breathe with a lung, not with gills, and are more closely related to freshwater air-breathing gastropods such as Lymnaea.

hell description

Empty siphonariid limpet shells can be distinguished from true limpet shells by examining the interior. In the siphonariids there is a well-marked lateral groove on the right side of the shell, and a corresponding interruption of the ring of muscle attachment scars. These markers show the positioning of the pneumostome or pulmonary orifice.

Genera in the family Siphonariidae

* "Benhamina" Finlay, 1927
* "Kerguelenella" Powell, 1946
* "Siphonaria" G. B. Sowerby I, 1823
* "Williamia" di Monterosato, 1884

References

*
* Powell A W B, "New Zealand Mollusca", William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
* [http://rsnz.natlib.govt.nz/volume/rsnz_78/rsnz_78_04_004650.html Royal Society of New Zealand]