Remarks: Different genetic types, probably species, occur, especially of the forms similar to L. elevatus and L. schrolli.

At East Pacific Rise sites, specimens of L. elevatus have been collected in such abundance from washings of siboglinid tubes that there is no doubt that a primary habitat of these limpets is directly on Riftia and Tevnia. Association of chemoautotrophic bacteria with the gill confirmed for Lepetodrilus fucensis, which has been found in densities of 400000 m-2. The genus occurs in vents and seeps. Development with freeswimming lecithotrophic larvae with planktonic dispersal stage.

Shells of limpet form; coiling distinct to indistinct. Apex posterior, lower than highest shell elevation, slightly to strongly projecting. Species differ by shell proportions and sculpture. No operculum. Male usually with penis near base of right cephalic tentacle. Three pairs of short epipodial tentacles.

Shell length up to 6-20 mm (varies with species).

Size under dissecting microscope: 170-180µm   Size under compound microscope:  170µm

These are small protoconchs with fine pitted sculpture. In some individuals the pits appear to form lines, but this is not usually evident under the light microscope. The line of the aperture continues straight to the posterior edge of the shell in the apical view. There is a distinct medium-width aperture rim visible under the compound microscope.  Five species of Lepetodrilus - L. cristatus, L. elevatus, L. ovalis, L. pustulosus (all described in McLean, 1988) and L. tevnianus McLean 1993 , are present at 9°N. All these species have protoconchs that are similar in size and shape. Some individuals are nearly transparent (above left), while others are more opaque; it is possible this is a taxonomically useful trait, but the species cannot be distinguished morphologically at this time.

	Unknown 5. Lepetodrilus has a more streamlined appearance, with the aperture length about half the diameter of the protoconch. Unknown 5 is more rounded and the aperture is closer to 2/3 the protoconch diameter. The aperture rim is narrower in Unknown 5 and it flares out at the anterior edge and at the sides. Unknown 5 has reticulate rather than pitted sculpture, but this may not be apparent under the light microscope.
	Benthic Unknown A. This protoconch is about 10µm smaller than Lepetodrilus spp. and has reticulate rather than pitted sculpture.
	Gorgoleptis emarginatus (left in top photo) , Gorgoleptis spiralis (right) and Gorgoleptis sp. 3 (bottom).
	Clypeosectus delectus (right) and pointy apex (left).
	Lepetodrilus-like.

Depth range based on 330 specimens in 18 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 313 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 810 - 3660
  Temperature range (°C): 1.629 - 9.211
  Nitrate (umol/L): 17.840 - 44.610
  Salinity (PPS): 34.493 - 35.419
  Oxygen (ml/l): 0.774 - 6.060
  Phosphate (umol/l): 1.114 - 3.172
  Silicate (umol/l): 10.356 - 176.826

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 810 - 3660

Temperature range (°C): 1.629 - 9.211

Nitrate (umol/L): 17.840 - 44.610

Salinity (PPS): 34.493 - 35.419

Oxygen (ml/l): 0.774 - 6.060

Phosphate (umol/l): 1.114 - 3.172

Silicate (umol/l): 10.356 - 176.826
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
                                        

Specimen Records:	984	Public Records:	886
Specimens with Sequences:	979	Public Species:	18
Specimens with Barcodes:	479	Public BINs:	21
Species:	21
Species With Barcodes:	21

Access Published & Released Data: Download FASTA File

Collection Sites: world map showing specimen collection locations for Lepetodrilus

Genomic DNA is available from 6 specimens with morphological vouchers housed at British Antarctic Survey and National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington

Genomic DNA is available from 1 specimen with morphological vouchers housed at Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo