AuthorSmith, I.F.
Year2017
TitleDiffererentiating Littorina obtusata sensu stricto (Linnaeus, 1758) from Littorina fabialis (Turton, 1825)
TypePaper
SourceMollusc World Vol 44: 22-23.
IllustrationsColour photographs
Review (by Malcolm Storey)

The two species of Flat Periwinkle have long been confused.

Best separated by examination of the penis of male animals, they also tend to differ in ecology: Littorina obtusata lives higher on the shore, mainly on Ascophyllum nodosum, whereas Littorina fabialis lives lower down, usually on Fucus serratus. Both can occur on Fucus vesiculosus on rhe mid-shore.

An extended version of the paper can be purchased from the Conch. Soc. (The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland) http://www.conchsoc.org/

There is also an online version on Flickr with lots of photographs.

Finally Martin Willing gives an illustrated summary in British Widlife.

Website urlwww.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/32291694256/

Notes & PurposeStatusTaxonEnglishClassification
For identificationCurrentLittorina fabalisFlat PeriwinkleAnimalia: Littorinimorpha: Littorinidae
For identificationCurrentLittorina obtusataFlat PeriwinkleAnimalia: Littorinimorpha: Littorinidae
For identificationCurrentLittorina obtusata/fabalisa species aggregate of molluscsAnimalia: Littorinimorpha: Littorinidae
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