Monday 2 May 2011

Black-footed Limpet

Patella depressa
  • Most common form of limpet in southern waters
  • Strongly ridged shell up to 3cm
  • Generally grey in colour
  • Found on all wave-exposed rocky shores
  • Easily confused with other species such as Patella vulgata (Common limpet)

Barnacle

Chthamalus montagui
  • Sell wall of 6 solid plates
  • Kite-shaped opening of four plates
  • Max diameter 14mm
  • Found on all wave-exposed rocky shores

Dog whelk

Nucella lapillus


  • Thick, conical shell with short pointed spire
  • Aperture has a siphonal canal
  • Max 3cm
  • White, yellow, brown and striped
  • Found on mid shore downwards
  • Feeds on barnacles and mussels
  • Shell thickness dependent upon wave exposure

Edible (common) periwinkle

Littorina littorea
  • Largest British periwinkle
  • Juveniles have conspicuous spiral ridges
  • Max 5cm
  • Generally black or dark grey-brown.
  • Found on the upper shore to sublittoral zone

Painted topshell

Calliostoma zizyphinum

  • Rounded apertures
  • Iridescent colours

Pearly topshell

Margarites helicinus

  • A translucent globe shell up to 9mm
  • Light brown, orange or reddish
  • Found from the lower shore to sublittoral zone

Purple topshell (or flat topshell)

Gibbula umbilicalis

  • Cone-shaped shell with an eroded silvery top
  • The aperture is large and round
  • The small umbilicus is next to the aperture
  • Greenish-grey with broad diagonal stripes of reddish purple
  • Found from high water to lower shore