Giant Keyhole Limpet
Giant Keyhole Limpet
megathura crenulata
The Giant Keyhole Limpet is a remarkably large marine mollusk native to the rocky shores of the Pacific coast of North America. Unlike typical limpets that rely heavily on a visible shell for protection, this unique gastropod is famous for its thick, velvety mantle that grows up and over its shell, leaving only a small, keyhole-like opening exposed at the top. This opening serves as an exit portal for water, waste, and reproductive cells. In scientific communities, this species is highly celebrated for its contribution to modern medicine. Its copper-based blood contains Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin, a massive protein that stimulates the human immune system and is used globally in immunology research, diagnostic tests, and the development of cancer vaccines.
生息地: Found in rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal zones along Pacific coastlines, often clinging to reefs or hidden within dense kelp forests.
外見
This massive limpet can reach up to 13 centimeters in length, featuring an oval shell with a distinct, keyhole-shaped opening near the center. However, the shell is usually completely covered by its thick, fleshy mantle, which varies in color from dark black and mottled grey to sandy tan. The underside reveals a broad, muscular foot used to grip rocky surfaces tightly.
界Animalia門Mollusca綱Gastropoda目Lepetellida科Fissurellidae属Megathura
カテゴリ
Invertebrateレア度
Common
危険度
1/5 · 非常に低い
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おもしろい事実
Its blue-colored blood contains a protein so complex that scientists have been unable to synthesize it in a laboratory, making wild or aquacultured limpets the only source.
The characteristic keyhole at the top of its shell acts like a chimney, allowing wastewater and reproductive materials to exit without getting trapped under the mantle.
Unlike most other limpets that have hard, exposed, cone-shaped shells, the Giant Keyhole Limpet looks and feels more like a large, velvety sea slug due to its expansive mantle.
特殊能力
能力
Medical Blood Shield
Produces Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin, a highly complex, oxygen-binding protein in its blood that serves as a powerful immunostimulant in human medicine.
能力
Fleshy Shielding
Can expand its large mantle to cover and protect its entire shell from predators, preventing invasive organisms from settling on its hard surface.
能力
Suction Grip
Uses its wide, muscular foot to create a powerful suction seal on wave-swept rocks, preventing it from being washed away by strong Pacific swells.
サイズと詳細
- 長さ
- 6-13 cm
- 体重
- 0.1-0.4 kg
- 寿命
- 5-15 年
- 一度の産卵数
- 10000-80000
- 抱卵期間
- 1-3 日
食性と食事
It grazes slowly across rocky substrates, scraping up a variety of organic materials including algae, tunicates, bryozoans, and colonial sponges.
主な食物
- Microalgae
- Colonial tunicates
- Sponges
- Bryozoans
採餌方法
- Grazing
生態系とのつながり
eaten by
Ochre Sea Star
Pisaster ochraceus
Predator that preys on the limpet using its tube feet to pry it from rocks.
hunts
Orange Puffball Sponge
Tethya aurantia
The limpet grazes on this common tide pool sponge as part of its varied diet.
eaten by
California Two-spot Octopus
Octopus bimaculoides
A common cephalopod predator that hunts the limpet in subtidal zones.
特徴
このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。
別名
まだ別名はありません。
コレクション
テーマが追加されると、このオブジェクトのコレクションがここに表示されます。
安全性
危険度
1/5 · 非常に低い
まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。
よくある質問
Giant Keyhole Limpetを見分けるには？
Giant Keyhole Limpetを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。
Giant Keyhole Limpetの長さは何ですか？
6-13 cm
Giant Keyhole Limpetの体重は何ですか？
0.1-0.4 kg
Giant Keyhole Limpetの寿命は何ですか？
5-15 年
Giant Keyhole Limpetは何を食べますか？
It grazes slowly across rocky substrates, scraping up a variety of organic materials including algae, tunicates, bryozoans, and colonial sponges.
Giant Keyhole Limpetは通常どこに生息していますか？
Found in rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal zones along Pacific coastlines, often clinging to reefs or hidden within dense kelp forests.
Giant Keyhole Limpetはどのように狩りをしますか？
Grazing
Giant Keyhole Limpetの一度の産卵数は何ですか？
10000-80000
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