Morphological characterization of four limpet species from the rocky coasts of Tunisia
Azizi, M.; Boulajfene, B.; Souissi, A.; Tanfous, S.B.; Bahri-Sfar, L. (2026). Morphological characterization of four limpet species from the rocky coasts of Tunisia. Thalassas 42(1): 32. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s41208-026-01057-9
In: Thalassas. Universidad de Vigo: Vigo. ISSN 0212-5919; e-ISSN 2366-1674, more
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| Author keywords |
Shell contour · Morphological discrimination · True/false limpets · Multicuspid teeth |
| Authors | | Top |
- Azizi, M.
- Boulajfene, B.
- Souissi, A.
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- Tanfous, S.B.
- Bahri-Sfar, L.
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| Abstract |
This study presents a morphological comparison of shells from four limpet species (Patella caerulea, Patella rustica, Patella ulyssiponensis, and Siphonaria pectinata) collected from five Tunisian rocky coasts during the period June-August 2021. Two geometric morphometric approaches were used to assess inter- and intraspecific morphological variations: The Generalized Procrustes superposition and Fourier elliptic analysis. The findings showed that P. rustica had a higher shell compressed in the antero-posterior direction with an apex positioned more towards the center, while P. caerulea and P. ulyssiponensis were flatter with apices closer to the anterior end and revealed shell shape patterns that seem to be associated with the Bizerte Grottes and Salakta sites. As for S. pectinata, it diverged from the species of the genus Patella by a more enlarged base, a more conical shell, and a more central apex. Our data confirmed that limpets exhibit substantial morphological variability, which is likely associated with spatial variation among stations. |
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