Biodiversity & Conservation

Laver spire shell - Hydrobia ulvae - General information

Hydrobia ulvae

Image Steve Trewhella - The laver spire shell, Hydrobia ulvae. Image width ca 2cm.
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Distribution map

Hydrobia ulvae recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Why do the maps differ?

Sightings Have you seen Hydrobia ulvae?
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Hydrobia ulvae is not listed under any importance categories.

General information

Key Icon Researched by: Angus Jackson Text page icon Refereed by: Dr Richard S.K. Barnes

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy

Phylum Mollusca Snails, slugs, mussels, cockles, clams & squid
Class Gastropoda Snails, slugs & sea butterflies
Map icon Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland Found on all British and Irish coasts
Habitat information icon Habitat information Typically found on muddy sand, in estuaries and salt marshes. Sometimes also in lagoons and other areas of reduced salinity. Frequently associated with seagrass beds. Highest densities found mid-tidally but has been recorded down to 100 m depth.
Text page icon Description A small spiralling shell with six whorls. Up to 6 mm high but more typically around 4 mm. The shell is brown to yellow in colour. The body of the snail is a clear grey frequently with various pigment spots.

This review can be cited as follows:

Angus Jackson 2000. Hydrobia ulvae. Laver spire shell. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 21/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesfullreview.php?speciesID=3540>