rhipidoglossan radula

mollusk anatomy

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July 13, 2026

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The rhipidoglossan radula is a specific type of radula found in some gastropods, which are a class of mollusks. The radula itself is a ribbon-like structure in the mollusk's mouth, covered with many small teeth called denticles. It functions like a file or a conveyor belt, used for scraping food particles from surfaces or drilling into prey.12

In the rhipidoglossan radula, a basic pattern of many slender marginal teeth arranged in transverse rows is characteristic. These teeth are used to scrape food particles into the mouth. The structure of the radula, including the number and shape of its teeth, is highly variable among different mollusk species and is an important tool for identification. This diversity in radular structure has allowed gastropods to exploit a wide range of food sources.3

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gastropod
Food and feeding
…Archaeogastropoda still retain the basic rhipidoglossan radula, in which many slender marginal teeth are arranged in transverse rows. During use, the outer, or marginal, denticles swing outward, and the radula is curled under the anterior end of the odontophore. The latter is pressed against the feeding surface, and, one row…
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…Archaeogastropoda still retain the basic rhipidoglossan radula, in which many slender marginal teeth are arranged in transverse rows. During use, the outer, or marginal, denticles swing outward, and the radula is curled under the anterior end of the odontophore. The latter is pressed against the feeding surface, and, one row…
Read More