Cellana toreuma

Cellana toreuma is a small limpet that typically reaches a maximum size of 2.2 cm. It can be identified by its distinctive shell shape and is often found on exposed rocky shores. This species inhabits the mid and low intertidal zones, primarily in regions such as South Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Ryukyu, and Vietnam. Divers may encounter this limpet grazing on microalgae, encrusting macroalgae, and their spores, which are its main food sources. It is a non-homing limpet that migrates to upper shore levels during winter months. In terms of reproduction, Cellana toreuma is a gonochoric species that engages in broadcast spawning. The life cycle includes a planktonic phase where embryos develop into trocophore larvae and then juvenile veligers before reaching adulthood. This limpet often serves as a substratum for barnacles, such as Amphibalanus amphitrite, and can be found attached to raft frames in mariculture zones. While divers may not have a specific common name for this species, encounters can be intriguing as they observe its grazing behavior on the rocky substrates. Conservation status for Cellana toreuma is currently not evaluated, and it is considered harmless to humans.