Littorina littorea (common periwinkle)
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Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Megagastropoda
Family: Littorinidae
L.littorea is the largest of the periwinkle species found around the Essex coast growing to a maximum of 30mm. L.littorea is a grazing herbivore that has a tolerance for low salinity so can be found far up estuaries. It is well adapted to life in the littoral zone being able to resist the forces of dessication by fastening itself to a rock or a frond of marine algae using a layer of mucus around the edge of the shell that hardens when dry. The foot is then withdrawn all the way into the shell and the operculum secured for extra protection. This species can also survive not being attached during low tide and it’s tough shell will withstand rolling around in the surf zone until the tide returns. Although widely fished as a food source L.littorea is abundant. Females spawn eggs directly into the water from February to April and after a short planktonic life the larvae settle during May and June as young periwinkles. This species is found not only on rocky shores but also on hard structures such as groynes and can also be found on muddy shores, gravel and sandy beaches.
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