Flat periwinkle  (Littorina obtusata)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

This species is common on all British shores where brown seaweeds are found (3). It has a wide distribution in north-west Europe (2) and is found from Northern Norway to the south of Spain and is absent from the Mediterranean (4) (3).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

This periwinkle is closely associated with brown seaweeds, especially Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus on which it feeds. It occurs on the mid-shore to lower tidal levels and may occasionally occur in the sublittoral (2).

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