BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Littorina littorea

Researched by

Angus Jackson

Data supplied by

MarLIN

Refereed by

Dr David Reid

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Littorina littorea

Common name

Common periwinkle

MCS Code

W296

Recent Synonyms

None

Phylum

Mollusca

Subphylum

Superclass

Class

Gastropoda

Subclass

Prosobranchia

Order

Mesogastropoda

Suborder

Family

Littorinidae

Genus

Littorina

Species

littorea

Subspecies

Additional Information

Also commonly known as the 'edible periwinkle'. Young animals with spiral ridges may be confused with Littorina saxatilis. During the breeding season males are easily distinguished by the presence of a penis on the right hand side of the body.
The taxonomy of the Gastropoda has been recently revised (see Ponder & Lindberg 1997, and Taylor 1996). Ponder & Lindberg (1997) suggest that Mesogastropoda should be included in a monophyletic clade, the Caenogastropoda. See Reid (1996) for a comprehensive review of the systematics and evolution of Littorina littorea.

Taxonomy References

Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward et al., 1996, Campbell, 1994, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Graham, 1971, Fish & Fish, 1996, Rutherford, Web pages, Rosso, 1998, Fox, 1994(b), Hayes, 1926, Ponder & Lindberg, 1997, Taylor, 1996, Reid, 1996,

General Biology

Growth form

Turbinate

Feeding method

Herbivore

Mobility/Movement

Crawler

Environmental position

Epifaunal

Typical food types

A range of fine green, brown and red algae, including Ulva lactuca, Ulva spp., Cladophora spp. and Ectocarpus spp.

Habit

Free living

Bioturbator

Not relevant

Flexibility

None (< 10 degrees)

Fragility

Robust

Size

Small-medium(3-10cm)

Height

Insufficient information

Growth Rate

0.065-0.097 mm/day

Adult dispersal potential

100-1000m

Dependency

Independent

Sociability

Gregarious

Toxic/Poisonous?

General Biology Additional Information

Size and growth rate measurements apply to shell height. Most work suggests that maturity is reached at between 10-12mm shell height. Littorina littorea has various biochemical adaptations that allow the stressful intertidal habitat to be exploited. The species tends to aggregate and form clusters in areas that are more favourable for them, such as rock pools, rather than drier areas. Males are believed to mature earlier than females but females mature at a smaller size. Animals are more active when submerged due to the lower cost of moving on mucus when under water.

Biology References

Hayward et al., 1996, Campbell, 1994, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Newell, 1958, Fish, 1972, Fretter & Graham, 1994, Erlandsson & Johannesson, 1992, Rutherford, Web pages, Fox, 1994(b), Davies & Beckwith, 1999, Yamada, 1987, Gardner & Thomas, 1987, Erlandsson & Kostylev, 1995,

Distribution and Habitat

Distribution in Britain & Ireland

Found on all British coasts, though rare or absent in the Isles of Scilly and Channel Isles.

Global distribution

Distributed from northern Spain to the White Sea (northern Russia).

Biogeographic range

Not researched

Depth range

60 m

Migratory

Seasonal (environment)

Distribution Additional Information

The species is found most commonly on the lower shore and shallow subtidal but in ideal conditions may be found up to the high tide line. However, the lower limit is poorly defined and will depend on factors such as predation, latitude etc. Therefore, the species may be found in the infra- and circalittoral zones. However, in deeper water the species is only found as isolated individuals in very low densities.
At least in northern Britain Littorina littorea migrates down shore as temperatures fall in autumn (to reduce exposure to sub-zero temperatures) and up shore as temperatures rise in spring; migration depends on local winter temperatures. When exposed to the air, the species usually remains inactive unless conditions are very moist.

Substratum preferences

Bedrock
Large to very large boulders
Small boulders
Cobbles
Pebbles
Gravel / shingle
Muddy gravel
Sandy mud
Muddy sand
Mud
Salt marsh

Physiographic preferences

Open coast
Estuary

Biological zone

Upper Eulittoral
Mid Eulittoral
Lower Eulittoral
Sublittoral Fringe

Wave exposure

Moderately Exposed
Sheltered
Very Sheltered
Extremely Sheltered
Ultra Sheltered

Tidal stream strength/Water flow

Strong (3-6 kn)
Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)
Weak (<1 kn)
Very Weak (negligible)

Salinity

Variable (18-40 psu)
Reduced (18-30 psu)
Full (30-40 psu)

Habitat Preferences Additional Information

Distribution References

Hayward et al., 1996, Campbell, 1994, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Graham, 1971, Fish & Fish, 1996, Newell, 1958, Fish, 1972, Fretter & Graham, 1994, Rutherford, Web pages, Gendron, 1977, Gardner & Thomas, 1987,

Reproduction/Life History

Reproductive type

Gonochoristic

Developmental mechanism

Planktotrophic
Oviparous

Reproductive Season

February to June

Reproductive Location

Water column

Reproductive frequency

Annual episodic

Regeneration potential

Life span

6-10 years

Age at reproductive maturity

<1 year

Generation time

3-5 years

Fecundity

Up to 100,000 for large females

Egg/propagule size

Egg capsules ca 1 mm across

Fertilization type

Internal

Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential	>10km	Larval settlement period	Insufficient information
Duration of larval stage	11-30 days

Reproduction Preferences Additional Information

This species can breed throughout the year but the length and timing of the breeding period are extremely dependent on climatic conditions. Also, estuaries provide a more nutritious environment than the open coast (Fish, 1972). Sexes are separate, and fertilisation is internal. Littorina littorea sheds egg capsules directly into the sea. Egg capsules are about 1mm across and each biconvex capsule can contain up to nine eggs but normally there are only two or three eggs per capsule. Egg release is synchronized with spring tides. In estuaries the population matures earlier in the year and maximum spawning occurs in January. Fecundity value is up to 100,000 for a large female (27mm shell height) per year. Eggs are released on several separate occasions. Female fecundity increases with size. Larval settling time or pelagic phase can be up to six weeks. Males prefer to breed with larger, more fecund females. Parasitism by trematodes may cause sterility.

Reproduction References

Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fish, 1972, Fretter & Graham, 1994, Newell & Newell, 1977, Erlandsson & Johannesson, 1992, MBA, 1957, Rutherford, Web pages, Hughes & Roberts, 1980,