kammalevät

Kammalevät are a small family of marine snails, belonging to the class Gastropoda. They are characterized by their typically flattened, cap-shaped shells, which are often spiraled but may appear almost conical. The shell's aperture is usually wide and oval. Kammalevät are found in various marine environments, often clinging to rocks, shells, or seaweed in shallow coastal waters.

Their common name, "kammalevät," is a Finnish term referring to their comb-like radula, a ribbon-like structure covered in teeth used for feeding. They are herbivores, scraping algae and diatoms from surfaces. Their small size and cryptic coloration help them blend into their surroundings, making them difficult to spot.

Reproduction in kammalevät typically involves external fertilization, with eggs and sperm released into the water column. The larvae are planktonic and drift before settling on a suitable substrate to metamorphosize into adult snails. While not as widely known as some other marine gastropods, kammalevät play a role in their ecosystems as grazers, influencing algal growth on hard surfaces. They are also prey for larger invertebrates and fish. Their distribution is generally widespread in temperate and tropical oceans.