The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland | Helping to understand, identify, record, and conserve molluscs

Oenopota turricula

Distribution and status

Found all around the British Isles and may be more common locally.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on sandy bottoms from 20 to 200m deep and feeds on small polychaete worms.

References and links

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000184824]

Sort order

3160

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Oenopota turricula

Size: Up to 12mm high; 5mm broad Shape: Relatively tall shell with the last whorl making up half to two thirds of the total shell h

Oenopota trevelliana

Distribution and status

Recorded from northern parts of the North Sea from 25-30m deep. May be frequent locally.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on sandy bottom feeding on small annelid worms.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000184823]

Sort order

3150

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Oenopota trevelliana

Size: Up to 12mm high; 5mm broad Shape: The last whorl makes up about two thirds of the total shell height.

Oenopota rufa

Distribution and status

Found all around the British Isles but not common.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on soft bottoms from extreme low water to 70m.

References and links

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000176808]

Sort order

3140

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Oenopota rufa

Size: Up to 16mm high; 6mm broad Shape: Moderately tall shell with the last whorl making up about two thirds of the total shell height.

Mangelia smithii

Distribution and status

Locally common. Found off western coasts as far north as the Hebrides.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on soft bottoms from 25-50m.

References and links

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000176368]

Sort order

3130

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Mangelia smithii

Size: Up to 15mm high; 5mm broad Shape: Relatively tall shell with the last whorl making up about 60-65% of the total shell height.

Mangelia rugulosa

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000183909]

Sort order

3120

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Mangelia rugulosa

Mangelia coarctata

Distribution and status

Recorded from many locations but mainly in the south and west.

References and links

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000176366]

Sort order

3110

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Mangelia coarctata

Size: Up to 11mm high; 5mm broad (though more commonly half this size). Shape: Relatively tall shell with the last whorl making up about

Mangelia powisiana

Distribution and status

Rare records from a round the UK from western Scotland, Isles of Scilly, Plymouth and the Channel Islands.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on sandy bottoms from very low shore to 100m.

References and links

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000183908]

Sort order

3100

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Mangelia powisiana

Size: Up to 15mm high; 6mm broad Shape: Relatively tall shell with the last whorl making up about 60-65% of the total shell height.

Mangelia nebula

Distribution and status

Found all around the UK with the exception of the southern North Sea and eastern English Channel.

Ecology and behaviour

Live on sandy bottoms from 10-30m depth where they probably feed on small polychaetes.

References and links

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000176367]

Sort order

3090

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Mangelia nebula

Size: Up to 14mm high; 5mm broad Shape: Relatively tall shell with the last whorl making up about 60% of the total shell height.

Mangelia brachystoma

Distribution and status

Locally common off most shores around the UK excpt the southern North Sea.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on sandy or muddy bottoms from 4 to 60m where it almost certainly feeds on small polychaetes.

References and links

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000176365]

Sort order

3080

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Mangelia brachystoma

Size: Up to 7mm high; 3mm broad Shape: Relatively tall shell with the last whorl making up about 60% of the total shell height.

Mangelia attenuata

Distribution and status

Occassional occurrences all around the UK.

Ecology and behaviour

LIves on sand or clay bottoms from 5 to 150m depth.

References and links

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000176364]

Sort order

3070

Taxonomic group

Marine snail

Read more about Mangelia attenuata

Size: Up to 13mm high; 5mm broad Shape: Relatively tall shell with the last whorl making up about two thirds of the total shell height.