Helcion pellucidum
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Length = 14mm. Collected from Hanover Point, Isle of White.
Patella pellucida Linnaeus, 1758
Patella pellucida Linnaeus, 1758
synonyms
Helcion pellucidum (Linnaeus, 1758)
Patella laevis Pennant, 1777
Patina pellucida (Linnaeus, 1758)
Helcion pellucidum, North Wales
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Peter Topley
Helcion pellucidum, North Wales. Photographer Peter Topley.
Side view of shell - anterior end to the right
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Hanover Point, Isle of White (SZ 378 837). Length = 9mm.
Dorsal view of shell
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Hanover Point, Isle of White (SZ 378 837). Length = 9mm.
Side view of shell - anterior end to the right
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Hanover Point, Isle of White (SZ 378 837). Length = 14mm.
Ventral view of shell
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Hanover Point, Isle of White (SZ 378 837). Length = 14mm.
Dorsal view of shell
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Hanover Point, Isle of White (SZ 378 837). Length = 14mm.
Group of Helcion pellucidum on Laminaria frond
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson.
Patella pellucida Linnaeus, 1758
Distribution and status
Common
Found on all Atlantic coasts from Portugal to the north of Norway.
Ecology and behaviour
Typically found on Laminaria but may also occur on fucoids. There are two varieties: var. pellucidum which occurs on the fronds and stipe of the Laminaria and var. laevis which occupies the holdfast. Breeds mainly in winter and spring. Fertilisation is external and the larvae initially settle on fucoids, migrating to Laminaria when they are about 4mm in length.
Key identification features
- Blue rays on apex which often extend down to margin
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000175715]
Sort order
1000
Taxonomic group
Marine snail
Conical shell up to 20mm in length (var. pellucidum tends to be smaller). Shell is brown or olive in colour and can either be tranlucent (var. pellucidum) or opaque (var. laevis). The surface of the shell is smooth with very fine radiating ridges. Conical shaped Var. laevis tends to have a thinker shell and more pronounced conical shape.