Vernacular names: Common keyhole limpet
Conical shell up to 25mm in length (10mm in height). The shell is white or yellow often with brown radiating rays. The surface is sculptured with 20-30 coarse radiating ridges interspersed with finer ones.
Key identification features
- Keyhole shaped opening in the apex of the shell
Similar species
- Puncturella noachina has a slit slightly in front of the apex
Ecology and behaviour
Lives attached to stones or rock where it feeds on sponges. Breed in winter and spring. Eggs are attached to the rock surface and young hatch as juveniles - there is no free swimming larval stage.
Distribution and status
Not uncommon.
Occurs from the British Isles south to the Mediterranean but appears to be absent from the North Sea.
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.