Limpet

Common name: Limpet.

Scientific name: Fissurella spp.

Size: The maximum sizes described for limpets range from 50 to 100 mm, although F. maxima, F. cumingi, F. nigra y F. latimarginata reach sizes above 100mm.

Where does it live?: The genus Fissurella is represented in Chile by 13 species, 10 of which are exploited for commercial purposes. Eight of these species of limpet are distributed from Peru to central Chile (F. bridgessi, F. costata, F. crassa, F.cumingi, F. latimarginata, F. limbata, F. maxima, and F. pulchra), while the remaining two species (F. nigra and F. picta) are found from central Chile to the Magallanes Region.

Favorite sites: Widely distributed in the intertidal and subtidal habitat of hard bottoms, associated with algae belts such as Chilean black kelp (Lessonia nigrescens) and Sea chicory (Chondracanthus chamissoi), among others, while the larger individuals are usually associated with mollusks such as chitons, Chilean blue mussels and sea snails, as well as crustaceans such as barnacles.

Diet: It is an herbivorous mollusk.

Curious fact: According to growth estimations, some limpet species reach the minimum legal harvest size (65 mm) in 2.8 years.

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