Littorina littorea | The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland

<em>Littorina littorea</em> (Linnaeus, 1758)

L. littorea. Head, tentacles and anterior of foot with transverse ‘tiger’ stripes on yellow flesh. Whitish triangle (blurred) in grey mantle cavity behind head is ctenidium (gill).

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Shell height 14.8mm. Photographed September 2011

Littorina littorea. Normal maximum shell height about 30mm. This specimen 31.2mm. Spire mined by boring sponge, Clione celata. Orange colour much less common than grey / brown / black.

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Littorina littorea. Normally, only tentacles, snout tip and foot protrude from the shell. Side of the foot has black reticulated pattern, anterior and posterior have transverse stripes. Shell height 19.9mm, breadth 16.4mm. N. Wirral, Cheshire. June 2011

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Littorina littorea. Comparison of normal maximum sized shell (31.2mm high) with exceptionally large one (50.3mm high). Dorsal views of live position, standing on aperture, so apex tilted up. Orkney, April 1974.

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Exceptionally large specimen of Littorina littorea. Height 50.3mm, breadth 31.2mm. Usual maximum height 30mm. Due to age, shell has coloured surface layer worn away and is mined by boring sponge, Clione celata. Orkney, April 1974.

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Exceptionally large specimen of Littorina littorea. Height 50.3mm, breadth 31.2mm. Usual maximum height 30mm. Due to age, shell has coloured surface layer worn away and is mined by boring sponge, Clione celata. Orkney, April 1974.

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Juvenile Littorina littorea from inside empty cavities of dead barnacles. Heights 5.8mm-7.7mm. Apertures closed by opercula. Bright white columella distinguishes from other small Littorina spp. in barnacles. Menai Strait, March 2011.

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Juvenile Littorina littorea from inside empty cavities of dead barnacles. Heights 5.8mm-7.7mm. Resemble other small Littorina spp. from same niche. See apertural images for identification note. Menai Strait, March 2011.

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Littorina littorea. White fleshed juvenile,height 6.2mm, from inside empty cavity of dead barnacle. Transverse black stripes on tentacles, and bright white shell-columella distinguishes from other Littorina spp. in barnacles. Menai Strait, March 2011.

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Littorina littorea juvenile, height 6.2mm, from inside empty cavity of dead barnacle. Strong spiral rib on whorls. Thin crenulated aperture lip. Bright white columella distinguishes from other small Littorina spp. in barnacles. Menai Strait, March 2011.

Species

Littorina littorea

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

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