BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Helcion pellucidum
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Dr Harvey Tyler-Walters	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr David McGrath
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Helcion pellucidum	Common name	Blue-rayed limpet
MCS Code	W234	Recent Synonyms	Patina pellucida, Patina laevis, Helcion laevis

Phylum	Mollusca	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Gastropoda
Subclass	Prosobranchia	Order	Patellogastropoda
Suborder		Family	Pattelidae
Genus	Helcion	Species	pellucidum
Subspecies

Additional Information	Specimens found in cavities in holdfasts develop into the laevis form (Helcion pellucidum var. laevis). The laevis form has a taller, more robust opaque shell, ledged in profile, with blue rays that alternate with reddish brown rays. The most noticeable ledge of the shell indicates the size at which the individual enters the holdfast. Weber et al. (1997) suggested that Helcion pellucidum was genetically distinct from its South African con-geners and may have arisen independently. Recent studies of morphological features (Ridgeway et al., 1998) and molecular characteristics (Koufopanou et al., 1999) suggest that Helcion pelludicum belongs to the genus Patella.
Taxonomy References	Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Weber et al., 1997, Ridgeway et al., 1998, Fretter & Graham, 1994, Koufopanou, 1999,