Calliostoma zizyphinum
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Length = 24mm. Collected from Putsborough Sands, Devon on 20/07/1982.
Calliostoma zizyphinum
<em>Calliostoma zizyphinum</em> (Linnaeus, 1758)
Calliostoma zizyphinum
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Length = 24mm. Collected from Cotes d'Armor, Brittany on 26/03/1998.
Calliostoma zizyphinum lyonsi
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Length = 26mm. Collected from UMBS - Millport on 15/09/1987.
Calliostoma zizyphinum lyonsi
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Length = 24mm. Collected from UMBS - Millport on 15/09/1987.
Calliostoma zizyphinum
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Length = 14mm. Collected from Isle of Skye on 04/05/1985.
Calliostoma zizyphinum
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Length = 15mm. Collected from Isle of Skye on 04/05/1985.
Calliostoma zizyphinum
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Length = 15mm. Collected from Isle of Skye on 04/05/1985.
Calliostoma zizyphinum
Vernacular names
Painted top shell
Distribution and status
Fairly common. Found on all western European shores from the Mediterranean north to the Lofoten Islands.
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.
Ecology and behaviour
Grazed rock surface for vegetable matter and small coelenterates. The yellowish eggs are laid in a string of jelly attached to rock or algae. The young snails emerge from this after 7 to 10 days.
Similar species
- Calliostoma granulatum has sides which are slightly concave? - does this work?
- Jujubinus miliaris has a clearly reticulated sculpture on the shell surface
Key identification features
- Conical shell with flat sides and a pointed apex
- Breadth approximately equal to height
- Shells spiral ridges on the last whorl are smooth
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000174273]
Sort order
800
Taxonomic group
Marine snail
Conical shell up to 30mm in height with about ten whorls. The colour varies from yellow or brown to pink or purple and is overlaid with irregular dark purple or red markings. Pure white specimens sometimes occur and are considered by some to be a separate species. Shell surface is sculptured with 6 to 9 spiral ridges which are beaded. The animal possesses four or five pairs of epipodal tentacles.