Buccinum undatum var. caerulea
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Celia Pain collection from St Peters Pool, Deerness, Orkney. Length = 41mm.
Buccinum undatum
<p><em>Buccinum undatum</em> Linnaeus, 1758</p>
Buccinum undatum
Vernacular names
(Common) whelk; buckie; Cragen foch fwyaf (Welsh);
Distribution and status
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.
Ecology and behaviour
Abundant on soft bottoms. Eats worms and bivalves, live and as carrion. Egg case balls washed up on beaches.
Similar species
- Beringius turtoni Shell white, spire thinner, tan periostracum present
- Neptunea antiqua Shell heavier, larger, longer siphonal canal, sculpture less obvious
- Volutopsius norwegicus Shell white, porcellaneous, spire thinner, mouth elongate oval
Key identification features
- Sinuous costae
- Short siphonal canal
- Pale brown to yellowish brown shell
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000174225]
Sort order
2880
Taxonomic group
Marine snail
Shell teardrop shaped, 7-8 rounded whorls, large adults up to 120mm. Ornament spiral lines and ridges, varies between smooth and very rough.