Mystery Cellana

[Limpets 1]

Unable to ID this Cellana species even though I have compared it to others in my collection of which I have nearly the entire genus named to date. It is also not shown in Powell's "Patellid LImpetsof the World" (1973). It came from an old collection with no locality data and is one of a growth series of 5 shells. They are all identical to each other which is a little unusual as most limpets show some variation from each other no matter how small, even from the same location. Any suggestions? Have checked it against Cellana testudinaria of which I have juveniles but it is definitely not that species. The interior is iridescent silvery gray with a darkish brown centre.

[dave r]

With the apex set back and the interior you describe I would say it was a form of testudinaria. The only other I can think of is a form of Cellana radians <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gastropods.com/6/Shell_8386.shtml">http://www.gastropods.com/6/Shell_8386.shtml</a><!-- m -->

[Limpets 1]

It isn't Cellana radians as I have that species from all over New Zealand where I live and it is extermely variable within the various populations. I would probably need to compare with more species of testudinaria to see whether some juveniles are identical to each other but very few people seem to collect or specialise in limpets so that is not likely to happen!!

I did have another problem related to this site in that I tried to join the Worldwide Collectors list and the page was not found although I tried several times. Also I was not sure whether I needed to use another password other than the one I use for the Forum. Could you please clarify for me in case the page finally turns up. Many thanks.