Tugali elegans
NameTugali elegans
Scientific NameTugali elegans
Common NameElegant Tugali
FamilyFissurellidae
GenusTugali
Specieselegans
Geographic DistributionEndemic to New Zealand, found around the North and South Islands, as well as the Chatham Islands.
Habitatintertidal
Average Size (mm)20-30
Identifying FeaturesElongated oval and depressed shell, subcentral apex, fine cancellate sculpture (radial ribs and concentric growth lines), and an anterior slit (not a full keyhole) characteristic of the genus Tugali.
Raritycommon
Author CitationGray, 1843
Description
Tugali elegans is a species of keyhole limpet, a marine gastropod mollusk. The shell is elongated oval in shape, relatively depressed, and features a subcentral apex. Its exterior is characterized by a fine cancellate sculpture, formed by numerous radial ribs intersecting with concentric growth lines. The shell's coloration is typically a pale, off-white to creamy-white, with a smooth, glossy white interior. It is a true limpet, but belongs to the family Fissurellidae, known for having an apical or anterior opening, which in this species is an anterior slit rather than a full keyhole.
