Edible periwinkle (Littorina littorea)
Facts
| Also known as: | common periwinkle |
|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Mollusca |
| Class | Gastropoda |
| Order | Neotaenioglossa |
| Family | Littorinidae |
| Genus | Littorina (1) |
| Size |
Shell height: up to 30 mm (2) |
| Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life, at Nature Navigator |  |
Status
Not threatened (2).
Description
Periwinkles are a large family of gastropod molluscs found on the shore. The edible periwinkle is perhaps the best known species of this family, as it has been collected and eaten for centuries. After boiling, the soft body is ‘winkled out' from the shell with a pin or a special ‘winkle-picker' (3). This species is the largest periwinkle found in Britain. It has a dark grey or black conical shell that develops a smooth surface with age. The flattened tentacles bear obvious black bands, a feature which allows young specimens to be identified easily. Males can be distinguished during the breeding season by the presence of a penis on the right side of the body (4).
Range
| You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway |  |
Habitat
This periwinkle is found from the upper shore down to the sublittoral and may also occur on mudflats and in estuaries (2). Large aggregations may arise in more suitable areas, such as rock-pools (4).
Biology
The flat periwinkle grazes on detritus and microorganisms. It also feeds on green seaweeds such as sea lettuce (Ulva lactua) and species of Enteromorpha (2).
Breeding may take place throughout the year, but tends to vary depending on temperature (4). The sexes are separate (individuals are either male or female), and fertilisation occurs internally after copulation (2). Egg laying is timed to coincide with the spring tide; the eggs are laid in the sea in gelatinous capsules that usually contain around three eggs (although up to 9 eggs per capsule has been known) (4). The egg capsules float in the sea and free-swimming ‘veliger' larvae hatch after a few days. After 6 weeks spent in the ocean, the larvae settle on the shore. The young periwinkles attain sexual maturity at two or three years of age and may live for up to five years (2).
Threats
This species is not threatened.
Conservation
Not relevant.
Further Information
For more on this species see:
Jackson, A. (2002) Littorina littorea. Common periwinkle. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme. [On-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 27/11/2003]. Available on-line at:
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Littorinalittorea.htm
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Larvae: Stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
Sublittoral: A marine zone between the littoral zone (the shallow zone where light reaches the bed, subject to submersion and exposure by tides) and depths of around 200m.
References
- National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (September, 2003)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/ - Fish, J.D. and Fish, S. (1989) A student's guide to the seashore. Unwin Hyman Ltd., London.
- Buczaki, S. (2002) Fauna Britannica. Hamlyn, London.
- Jackson, A. (2002) Littorina littorea. Common periwinkle. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme. [On-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. (November, 2003)
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Littorinalittorea.htm - Gibson, R., Hextall, B. and Rogers, A. (2001) Photographic Guide to the Sea & Shore Life of Britain and North-west Europe. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
