calyptraeids
Calyptraeids are a family of marine gastropod mollusks commonly known as slipper shells or hat shells. They are characterized by their conical or cap-shaped shells, which are often cemented to hard substrates like rocks, pilings, or the shells of other animals. This sessile lifestyle is a defining feature of the calyptraeids.
These mollusks are found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. They are filter feeders, using their ctenidia
A remarkable aspect of calyptraeid biology is their reproductive strategy, which often involves sequential hermaphroditism. Many
Calyptraeids play a role in marine ecosystems by filtering water and providing a substrate for other organisms