Conical shell up to 10mm in length. The surface of the shell is smooth. It is white or cream in colour with pink lines which are often broken giving a chequered pattern. Occasionally a pure white specimen may be found.
- Shell surface marked with pink rays
- Head scar is unpigmented or a V-shaped red mark
- Mantle edge banded with red corresponding to marks on shell
- Tectura testudinalis has a brown head scar inside the shell
Lives attached to the underside of stable stones which have growths of red weed. Feeds on red algae especially Lithothamnion. Breeds in spring.
Common. Occurs throughout Europe on Atlantic and Med coasts.
Tectura virginea
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data held by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN). See terms and conditions.
The following datasets are included:
- Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland: marine mollusc records
Open an NBN Atlas interactive map of this data in a new window.
Taxon details available from MolluscaBase (AphiaID 153552):
Tectura virginea (O. F. Müller, 1776)
The UK NBN Atlas entry for the species can be accessed via this link.