BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Littorina littorea
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Angus Jackson	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr David Reid
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Littorina littorea	Common name	Common periwinkle
MCS Code	W296	Recent Synonyms	None

Phylum	Mollusca	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Gastropoda
Subclass	Prosobranchia	Order	Mesogastropoda
Suborder		Family	Littorinidae
Genus	Littorina	Species	littorea
Subspecies

Additional Information	Also commonly known as the 'edible periwinkle'. Young animals with spiral ridges may be confused with Littorina saxatilis. During the breeding season males are easily distinguished by the presence of a penis on the right hand side of the body. The taxonomy of the Gastropoda has been recently revised (see Ponder & Lindberg 1997, and Taylor 1996). Ponder & Lindberg (1997) suggest that Mesogastropoda should be included in a monophyletic clade, the Caenogastropoda. See Reid (1996) for a comprehensive review of the systematics and evolution of Littorina littorea.
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward et al., 1996, Campbell, 1994, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Graham, 1971, Fish & Fish, 1996, Rutherford, Web pages, Rosso, 1998, Fox, 1994(b), Hayes, 1926, Ponder & Lindberg, 1997, Taylor, 1996, Reid, 1996,