| Littorinidae (periwinkles) |
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benthic; marine |
| Eastern Pacific: USA to Mexico. |
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Shell has 2 whorls, and is usually eroded at tip. Purplish brown with faint white markings and a white band on the edge of the shell's mouth; smooth, flat surface next to opening. It is an important source of erosion of high intertidal cliffs (Ref. 312). |
| It has a shell length of 2 cm long (Ref. 312). Found in the splash and high intertidal zones. Scrapes films of diatoms, blue-green algae and green algae off rocks. When not feeding or crawling, it prevents water loss by secreting a mucous film to attach its foot to surfaces. The mucous seal and operculum (trap door), which snugly fits into the shell, are so effective that they remain alive for two or three months without being submerged under water. They need only to get their gills wet from the water's spray (Ref. 312). |
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Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
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