Notoacmea scutum

The Plate Limpet

Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Subclass Prosobranchia
OrderArchaeogastropoda
Family Acmaeidae
Genus Notoacmea
Species scutum

Description: 4 to 5 cm long, 3 to 4 cm wide; brown to green with radiating white lines; shell oval or conical; low and shield-like with apex just forward of center.

Habitat: Found between the high and low-tide lines on rocks and floating docks.

Natural History: Along rocks and other smooth surfaces, this limpet moves up and down with the tides, grazing on algae and diatoms.