Patella vulgata

Patella vulgata, commonly known as the Common Limpet, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Patellidae. This species is native to the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea.

Description

The Patella vulgata has a conical shell, which is typically 2 to 6 cm in diameter. The shell is characterized by strong radial ribs and a central apex. The color of the shell varies from gray to brown, often with a pattern of lighter and darker bands. The underside of the animal is a bright orange or red.

Habitat and Distribution

The Patella vulgata is found on rocky shores in the intertidal zone, an area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide. It is most commonly found on shores with a strong wave action. The species is distributed along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, from the north of Norway to the Iberian Peninsula, including the British Isles and the western Mediterranean Sea.

Behavior and Ecology

The Patella vulgata is a herbivore, feeding mainly on algae which it scrapes off the rocks with its radula. It has a homing behavior, returning to the same spot on the rock after feeding, which is known as a "home scar". The species reproduces through external fertilization, where the female releases eggs and the male releases sperm into the water, where fertilization occurs.

Conservation

The Patella vulgata is not currently considered a threatened species. However, it is vulnerable to pollution, particularly oil spills, and changes in its habitat due to climate change.

See also

• Limpet
• Gastropoda
• Intertidal zone