Ventral view of live animal
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Carrickadda, Burren, W. Ireland (M254123). Length = 5mm.
Tectura virginea
<em>Tectura virginea</em> (O F Müller, 1776)
Tectura virginea on the shore
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Carrickadda, Burren, W. Ireland (M254123). Length = 5mm.
Tectura virginea on the shore
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Carrickadda, Burren, W. Ireland (M254123). Length = 3mm.
Tectura virginea on the shore
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Specimen collected by Steve Wilkinson from Carrickadda, Burren, W. Ireland (M254123). Length = 5mm.
Tectura virginea
Vernacular names
White Tortoiseshell Limpet
Distribution and status
Common. Occurs throughout Europe on Atlantic and Med coasts.
Tectura virginea
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data held by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN). See terms and conditions.
The following datasets are included:
- Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland: marine mollusc records
Open an NBN Atlas interactive map of this data in a new window.
Ecology and behaviour
Lives attached to the underside of stable stones which have growths of red weed. Feeds on red algae especially Lithothamnion. Breeds in spring.
Similar species
- Tectura testudinalis has a brown head scar inside the shell
Key identification features
- Shell surface marked with pink rays
- Head scar is unpigmented or a V-shaped red mark
- Mantle edge banded with red corresponding to marks on shell
References and links
Taxon details available from MolluscaBase (AphiaID 153552):
Tectura virginea (O. F. Müller, 1776)
The UK NBN Atlas entry for the species can be accessed via this link.
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178292]
Sort order
960
Taxonomic group
Marine snail
Tectura virginea. White Tortoiseshell Limpet. Taxon version key: NHMSYS0021056385. Common. Occurs throughout Europe on Atlantic and Med coasts. Conical shell up to 10mm in length. The surface of the shell is smooth. It is white or cream in colour with pink lines which are often broken giving a chequered pattern. Occasionally a pure white specimen may be found.