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Operculum (animal)

Anoperculum is an anatomical feature, a stiff structure resembling a lid or a small door that opens and closes, and thus controls contact between the outside world and an internal part of an animal. Examples include:

• Anoperculum (gastropod), a single lid that (in its most complete form) closes the aperture of the shell when the animal is retracted, and thus protects the internal soft parts of the animal that are not completely covered by the shell. The operculum lies on the top rear part of the foot. When the foot is retracted, the operculum is rotated 180° and closes the shell.^[2]

See also[edit]

• Aptychus: A structure in ammonites which usually consists of two plates, and which was long thought to be a form of double operculum, but which more recently has been proposed to have been a jaw mechanism.

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