Thick top shell (Phorcus lineatus)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

Phorcus lineatus is the largest intertidal trochid in Britain. The shell is a turbinate spire consisting of up to six whorls. The last whorl dominates the shell and ends in a circular aperture, with a prominent 'tooth' or bulge on the nacreous (mother-of-pearl) inner shell layer. The outer lip of the aperture is thinner than the rest of the shell.  Shell colour varies between dark green, grey and black, with complex brown or purple zigzag markings. The shell can reach up to 3cm in height (Graham, 1988) and 3cm basal diameter and is thicker and heavier than other species of topshell found in Britain. Shell growth lines are visible (Desai, 1966; Fretter & Graham, 1977; Williamson & Kendall, 1981). Erosion of the outer layer of the shell at the apex is common in older animals and the pearly inner layer of the shell can show through. The animal itself is mostly pink in colour. Two stalked eyes and a pair of sensory tentacles are located on the head above a well developed snout. The grey muscular foot lies underneath and slightly ventral to the head. Three pairs of sensory tentacles are present on the outside of the foot and are extended when the animal is active (Crothers, 2001).

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Abundant on rocky shores in Britain reaching its northern limits on Anglesey & eastern limits at Osmington Mills, Dorset (pers. obs.). Absent from Scotland & the east coast of England. Range from Churchtown to Malin Head in Ireland.

Global distribution

Found in the north eastern Atlantic from Morocco to Cap de la Hague, France on mainland Europe (Crisp & Southward, 1958; Fretter & Graham 1977). Northern limits reached in North Wales and North Ireland.

Habitat

Occurs in the midshore region of moderately exposed rocky shores in England and Wales. Requires a stable boulder field or broken shore with available bare rock.

Depth range

MHWS to MLWS

Identifying features

  • Pronounced tooth or notch on aperture.
  • Shell has up to 6 whorls.
  • Shell dark green, grey or black with brown or red zigzag markings
  • Underside pearly-white.

Additional information

Also commonly known as the toothed top shell. Irregular damage lines may be visible on the shell if the animal has experienced environmental shock or has been attacked by predators.

Listed by

- none -

Biology review

Taxonomy

LevelScientific nameCommon name
PhylumMollusca
ClassGastropoda
OrderTrochida
FamilyTrochidae
GenusPhorcus
Authority(da Costa, 1778)
Recent SynonymsMonodonta lineata (da Costa, 1778)Trochocochlea lineata Turbo lineatus Osilinus lineatus

Biology

ParameterData
Typical abundanceHigh density
Male size range13-30 mm
Male size at maturity13+ mm
Female size range13+ mm
Female size at maturity
Growth formTurbinate
Growth rateSee additional information
Body flexibilityNone (less than 10 degrees)
MobilityCreeper
Characteristic feeding methodGrazer (surface/substratum)
Diet/food sourceHerbivore
Typically feeds onMicroalgae
SociabilityNo information
Environmental positionEpilithic
DependencyIndependent.
None
SupportsNone
Is the species harmful?No

Biology information

Growth rate. Initially rapid, Phorcus lineatus can grow up to 7-8mm in diameter between spawning and December (Fretter & Graham, 1977; Kendall et al.,1987), although the average size of newly settled animals is around 3 mm (pers. obs.). Growth slows down and may stop in the first winter and every successive winter, before increasing in spring (Williams, 1965). One year post-settlement, juveniles can reach 11 to 15 mm (Fretter & Graham 1977, Fretter, 1988). Growth slows in adults when they become sexually mature but continues throughout the life of the animal.

Feeding. Phorcus lineatus feeds on microscopic algae, which it grazes from rock surfaces using a brush-like radula on the tongue. Feeding is assumed to occur at night or during high water (Crothers, 2001) as no observations of feeding during daylight or at low water have been published.

Respiration. Phorcus lineatus has a gill for respiration in water and a well vascularised mantle cavity which allows the animal to breathe in air (Crothers, 2001).

Sensory. Phorcus lineatus detects its environment by means of two stalk eyes and a pair of sensory tentacles on the head, and three pairs of sensory tentacles on the foot.

Habitat preferences

ParameterData
Physiographic preferencesEnclosed coast or Embayment, Estuary, Open coast, Sea loch or Sea lough, Strait or Sound
Biological zone preferencesLower eulittoral, Mid eulittoral, Upper eulittoral
Substratum / habitat preferencesBedrock, Large to very large boulders, Rockpools, Under boulders
Tidal strength preferencesModerately strong 1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.), Strong 3 to 6 knots (1.5-3 m/sec.)
Wave exposure preferencesExposed, Moderately exposed
Salinity preferencesFull (30-40 psu), Variable (18-40 psu)
Depth rangeMHWS to MLWS
Other preferences

No text entered

Migration PatternSeasonal (reproduction)

Habitat Information

  • Phorcus lineatus is widely distributed on rocky shores between the 20°C summer isotherm off Africa and the 6.5°C winter isotherm off Anglesey. Northern limits are primarily set by reproductive failure (Lewis et al., 1982; Lewis 1986; Kendall, 1986) but may also be determined by hydrography or unsuitable habitat (Crisp & Knight-Jones, 1953)
  • Juvenile Phorcus lineatus are found in nursery areas underneath boulders or in fissures. Adults crawl out of these damp areas onto the sides of boulders during warm, dry periods but tend to retreat to the lower surfaces of rocks when the weather is colder.
  • In early summer Phorcus lineatus adults migrate up the shore to the high eulittoral prior to spawning. Once spawning has occurred the animals migrate back down shore to the mid to lower eulittoral zone to overwinter.

Life history

Adult characteristics

ParameterData
Reproductive typeGonochoristic (dioecious)
Reproductive frequency Annual protracted
Fecundity (number of eggs)100-1,000
Generation time2-5 years
Age at maturity2 years
SeasonMay - August
Life span11-20 years

Larval characteristics

ParameterData
Larval/propagule type-
Larval/juvenile development Lecithotrophic
Duration of larval stage2-10 days
Larval dispersal potential No information
Larval settlement periodInsufficient information

Life history information

Reproductive cycle. Sexes are separate but the two sexes cannot be differentiated between by external examination (Fretter & Graham, 1977; Hickman, 1992). Phorcus lineatus has five stages to its reproductive cycle (Ortonet al., 1956; Desai, 1966). The onset of gonad maturation has been correlated with rising sea temperatures.

  • Stage I Late summer the gonad is inactive. Both male and female gonads are brown in colour and appear as loose, sac-like structures. Any oocytes present are smaller than 25 µm in diameter.
  • Stage II. In October the ovaries and testis both take on a greenish hue. Oocytes of up to 50 micrometres are present in females and spermatogonia are present in males.
  • Stage III. In early January, ovaries and testis are green, oocytes have grown to diameters greater than 50 µm. Spermatocytes and spermatids are present in males.
  • Stage IV. In February to May, ovaries are deep green in pigment and contain a mixture of mature and immature oocytes. Testis become pink in colour and contain spermatozoa.
  • Stage V. In May, ovaries are deep green and distended, oocytes are mostly mature. Testis are pink/cream and contain fully active spermatozoa.

Spawning. Adult Phorcus lineatusmigrate upshore to the high eulittoral zone in early summer prior to spawning. It is thought that this migration brings the animals into a region of higher temperature required for spawning. Desai (1966) found that adults that had migrated furthest up shore were the first to spawn, supporting this idea. Phorcus lineatus is a broadcast spawner (Underwood, 1972; Hickman, 1992). Males release clouds of white spermatozoa into the water column and females undergo repeated spasms, releasing a few eggs at a time from the mantle cavity into the water (Fretter & Graham 1977). Fertilization occurs externally.
 The breeding season is shorter near to northern range limits, with a single spawning period. Towards the centre of the range, the breeding season is longer and multiple spawning events occur (Garwood & Kendall, 1985, Bode et al,1986).

Larval development. Eggs of diameters between 165-250 µm are released individually (Desai, 1966; Fretter & Graham, 1994). The external jelly coating swells in contact with water, making the egg initially buoyant. After 20 minutes the jelly coating disintegrates and the egg sinks. The eggs are lecithotrophic (contain yolk) and provide food for larval development until the larvae hatch as free-swimming veligers after 29-30 hours. Six days after fertilization the larva has grown to approximately 1mm in diameter and has fully developed its crawling ability (Desai 1966, Fretter & Graham 1977). Larvae settle on the shore in the low eulittoral zone under boulders and in cracks and crevices.

Sensitivity reviewHow is sensitivity assessed?

Physical pressures

Use / to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Substratum loss [Show more]

Substratum loss

Benchmark. All of the substratum occupied by the species or biotope under consideration is removed. A single event is assumed for sensitivity assessment. Once the activity or event has stopped (or between regular events) suitable substratum remains or is deposited. Species or community recovery assumes that the substratum within the habitat preferences of the original species or community is present. Further details

Evidence

Osilinus lineatus is epifaunal so loss of the substratum would result in the loss of the population, and an intolerance of high has been recorded. Osilinus lineatus cannot survive on or move over substrate consisting of fine, mobile sediment. Recolonization, recruitment and recovery are possible once the substrate is restored, or to neighbouring areas of suitable habitat as the adults are capable of migration and the planktonic stage of the lifecycle will facilitate limited dispersal from neighbouring populations (see additional information below).

High Moderate Moderate High
Smothering [Show more]

Smothering

Benchmark. All of the population of a species or an area of a biotope is smothered by sediment to a depth of 5 cm above the substratum for one month. Impermeable materials, such as concrete, oil, or tar, are likely to have a greater effect. Further details.

Evidence

Smothering by 5 cm of sediment is highly likely to cause death. Respiration would be prevented and the microalgal food source would not grow under such conditions. Smothering of nursery areas under boulders would also prevent survival of juvenile recruits which depend on a coarse grained substrate to settle and over-winter on. Recruitment failure may result from a chronic deposition over a year or an acute episode coinciding with the peak juvenile settlement season in autumn. This is evident in Aberaeron, where regular recruitment occurred throughout the 1970s and 1980s (Kendal, 1987) but the population was severely reduced in 2002 due to heavy sedimentation of the habitat (Kendal et al. in submission). Recoverability is likely to be moderate (see additional information below).

High Moderate Moderate High
Increase in suspended sediment [Show more]

Increase in suspended sediment

Benchmark. An arbitrary short-term, acute change in background suspended sediment concentration e.g., a change of 100 mg/l for one month. The resultant light attenuation effects are addressed under turbidity, and the effects of rapid settling out of suspended sediment are addressed under smothering. Further details

Evidence

Deposition of suspended sediment may cause siltation of nursery areas, removing required habitat including nooks and crevices and prevent juveniles from settling and surviving. Recruitment failure may result from a chronic deposition over a year or an acute episode coinciding with the peak juvenile settlement season in autumn (see smothering above). Overall, an intolerance of intermediate has been recorded. Recoverability is likely to be high (see additional information below).

Intermediate High Low Low
Decrease in suspended sediment [Show more]

Decrease in suspended sediment

Benchmark. An arbitrary short-term, acute change in background suspended sediment concentration e.g., a change of 100 mg/l for one month. The resultant light attenuation effects are addressed under turbidity, and the effects of rapid settling out of suspended sediment are addressed under smothering. Further details

Evidence

Osilinus lineatus is unlikely to be adversely affected by a decrease in suspended sediment (editors addition).

Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Desiccation [Show more]

Desiccation

  1. A normally subtidal, demersal or pelagic species including intertidal migratory or under-boulder species is continuously exposed to air and sunshine for one hour.
  2. A normally intertidal species or community is exposed to a change in desiccation equivalent to a change in position of one vertical biological zone on the shore, e.g., from upper eulittoral to the mid eulittoral or from sublittoral fringe to lower eulittoral for a period of one year. Further details.

Evidence

Osilinus lineatus can fully retract into its shell and seal the opening with an operculum to minimize desiccation. This species can be mobile, feeding and walking during periods of low tide when the animal is exposed to air if conditions are damp or it is disturbed. It is tolerant of extended periods (days) exposed to air, and positions itself on the tops of boulders during sunny days when the desiccation risk is higher. It migrates upshore in the spring prior to spawning and remains there until the end of summer. This is an active movement into an area of increased desiccation stress which suggests that this species has a high tolerance. Therefore, an intolerance of intermediate has been recorded. Recoverability is likely to be high (see additional information below).

Intermediate High Low High
Increase in emergence regime [Show more]

Increase in emergence regime

Benchmark. A one hour change in the time covered or not covered by the sea for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Adults migrate upshore prior to spawning to a region where the emergence period is greater than lower down the shore. When specimens are returned to the laboratory they can survive for a week without submergence in seawater. The species can therefore tolerate a wide emergence regime.

Low High Low Low
Decrease in emergence regime [Show more]

Decrease in emergence regime

Benchmark. A one hour change in the time covered or not covered by the sea for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

No information
Increase in water flow rate [Show more]

Increase in water flow rate

A change of two categories in water flow rate (view glossary) for 1 year, for example, from moderately strong (1-3 knots) to very weak (negligible). Further details

Evidence

Water flow rates may become high enough to prevent animals from maintaining contact with the rock surface when moving and feeding at high tide. Increased flow rates may also move the boulder substrate around more, causing dislodgement and abrasion of the animals. Therefore, an intolerance of intermediate has been recorded. Recoverability is likely to be high (see additional information below).

Intermediate High Low High
Decrease in water flow rate [Show more]

Decrease in water flow rate

A change of two categories in water flow rate (view glossary) for 1 year, for example, from moderately strong (1-3 knots) to very weak (negligible). Further details

Evidence

Osilinus lineatus is found in habitats with a range of flow rates including sheltered bays where flow rates are reduced. If the flow rate is too low and sediment drops out of suspension the habitat may be unsuitable for this species due to smothering of adults and nursery areas of juveniles (see smothering above). Therefore, an intolerance of intermediate has been recorded. Recoverability is likely to be high (see additional information below).

Intermediate High Low High
Increase in temperature [Show more]

Increase in temperature

  1. A short-term, acute change in temperature; e.g., a 5°C change in the temperature range for three consecutive days. This definition includes ‘short-term’ thermal discharges.
  2. A long-term, chronic change in temperature; e.g. a 2°C change in the temperature range for a year. This definition includes ‘long term’ thermal discharges.

For intertidal species or communities, the range of temperatures includes the air temperature regime for that species or community. Further details

Evidence

Increasing air and sea temperatures allows Osilinus lineatus to colonize areas previously too cold. This is evident around British coasts as this species has increased its range during the current period of climate warming (Kendal et al., in submission). Osilinus lineatus has a distribution range from Morocco to North Wales, where it reaches its northern limits. The average temperature gradient is approximately 6 °C between these locations. Osilinus lineatus can also tolerate the wide range of air and sea temperatures it is exposed to in the intertidal zone.

Tolerant* Not relevant Not sensitive* High
Decrease in temperature [Show more]

Decrease in temperature

  1. A short-term, acute change in temperature; e.g., a 5°C change in the temperature range for three consecutive days. This definition includes ‘short-term’ thermal discharges.
  2. A long-term, chronic change in temperature; e.g. a 2°C change in the temperature range for a year. This definition includes ‘long term’ thermal discharges.

For intertidal species or communities, the range of temperatures includes the air temperature regime for that species or community. Further details

Evidence

A decrease in temperature may prevent regular successful recruitment within a population and could lead to a localized extinction. A sudden, sharp decrease in temperatures during the winter of 1962/63 resulted in the loss of many populations in Britain (Crisp, 1964). Some populations close to the northern limits have still not recovered. Overall, an intolerance of high to acute temperature decrease has been recorded. Recoverability is likely to be moderate (see additional information below).

High Moderate Moderate Moderate
Increase in turbidity [Show more]

Increase in turbidity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., two categories of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one month, such as from medium to extreme turbidity.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., one category of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one year, such as from low to medium turbidity. Further details

Evidence

Increases in turbidity will probably not have much of a direct effect on this species. Reduced irradiance may decrease the productivity of the microalgal food source.

Low High Low Low
Decrease in turbidity [Show more]

Decrease in turbidity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., two categories of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one month, such as from medium to extreme turbidity.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., one category of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one year, such as from low to medium turbidity. Further details

Evidence

Insufficient
information

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Increase in wave exposure [Show more]

Increase in wave exposure

A change of two ranks on the wave exposure scale (view glossary) e.g., from Exposed to Extremely exposed for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Osilinus lineatus is typically found on moderately exposed shores but also occurs in small numbers on some shores where wave exposure is high. Individuals may survive an increase in wave exposure by becoming more cryptic in their habitat selection. If wave action is too strong the animals may not be able to maintain their hold on the rock surface and may be washed off. Therefore, an intolerance of intermediate has been recorded. Recoverability is likely to be high (see additional information below).

Intermediate High Low Moderate
Decrease in wave exposure [Show more]

Decrease in wave exposure

A change of two ranks on the wave exposure scale (view glossary) e.g., from Exposed to Extremely exposed for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Osilinus lineatus is also found in sheltered bays where there is little wave action. If the water movement is too low and sediment drops out of suspension the habitat may be unsuitable for this species due to smothering of adults and nursery areas of juveniles (see smothering above).

Low High Low Moderate
Noise [Show more]

Noise

  1. Underwater noise levels e.g., the regular passing of a 30-metre trawler at 100 metres or a working cutter-suction transfer dredge at 100 metres for one month during important feeding or breeding periods.
  2. Atmospheric noise levels e.g., the regular passing of a Boeing 737 passenger jet 300 metres overhead for one month during important feeding or breeding periods. Further details

Evidence

There is no evidence that noise adversely affects this species. They move towards localized drilling noise made by researchers on the shore (pers. obs.).

Low Immediate Not sensitive Low
Visual presence [Show more]

Visual presence

Benchmark. The continuous presence for one month of moving objects not naturally found in the marine environment (e.g., boats, machinery, and humans) within the visual envelope of the species or community under consideration. Further details

Evidence

Adults do respond to visual presence by fully retracting into the shell, both when submerged and emersed. They do not close the operculum but remain attached to the rock by their foot. However, they re-emerge after a few minutes.

Low Immediate Not sensitive High
Abrasion & physical disturbance [Show more]

Abrasion & physical disturbance

Benchmark. Force equivalent to a standard scallop dredge landing on or being dragged across the organism. A single event is assumed for assessment. This factor includes mechanical interference, crushing, physical blows against, or rubbing and erosion of the organism or habitat of interest. Where trampling is relevant, the evidence and trampling intensity will be reported in the rationale. Further details.

Evidence

Abrasion can cause shell damage. The outer, thinner, dark layer of the shell is often abraded in older animals to the extent that the mother-of-pearl inner layer is evident on the top two or three whorls. Abrasion marks are more common on animals living on more exposed shores. Overall, an intolerance of low has been recorded.

Low Moderate Low Moderate
Displacement [Show more]

Displacement

Benchmark. Removal of the organism from the substratum and displacement from its original position onto a suitable substratum. A single event is assumed for assessment. Further details

Evidence

Animals displaced from the rock surface quickly reattach themselves if not carried away in the water column, when they may be lost. Animals that are displaced will attach to nearby substrate providing that it is suitable. Therefore, an intolerance of intermediate has been recorded. Recoverability is likely to be high (see additional information below).

Intermediate High Low Moderate

Chemical pressures

Use [show more] / [show less] to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Synthetic compound contamination [Show more]

Synthetic compound contamination

Sensitivity is assessed against the available evidence for the effects of contaminants on the species (or closely related species at low confidence) or community of interest. For example:

  • evidence of mass mortality of a population of the species or community of interest (either short or long term) in response to a contaminant will be ranked as high sensitivity;
  • evidence of reduced abundance, or extent of a population of the species or community of interest (either short or long term) in response to a contaminant will be ranked as intermediate sensitivity;
  • evidence of sub-lethal effects or reduced reproductive potential of a population of the species or community of interest will be assessed as low sensitivity.

The evidence used is stated in the rationale. Where the assessment can be based on a known activity then this is stated. The tolerance to contaminants of species of interest will be included in the rationale when available; together with relevant supporting material. Further details.

Evidence

Insufficient
information

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Heavy metal contamination [Show more]

Heavy metal contamination

Evidence

Insufficient
information

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Hydrocarbon contamination [Show more]

Hydrocarbon contamination

Evidence

Adult Osilinus lineatus were seen to decline further in Milford Haven after the Sea Empress oil spill in 1996 (Little, 1999).

Intermediate High Low Moderate
Radionuclide contamination [Show more]

Radionuclide contamination

Evidence

Insufficient
information

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Changes in nutrient levels [Show more]

Changes in nutrient levels

Evidence

It is unlikely that changes in nutrient levels will have a large effect on this species. Increase in the nutrient load of the water may lead to an increase in the microalgal food source. It has been suggested that toxic algal blooms may adversely affect this species but no direct evidence of this has been found.

Low High Low Low
Increase in salinity [Show more]

Increase in salinity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., a change of two categories from the MNCR salinity scale for one week (view glossary) such as from full to reduced.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., a change of one category from the MNCR salinity scale for one year (view glossary) such as from reduced to low. Further details.

Evidence

This species is found on open ocean coasts adjacent to oceanic waters and can tolerate salinities of around 33-35, which are typical of large water bodies. They also inhabit rockpools in the high mid shore zone. These pools are exposed for around 6 hours every day and evaporation can cause the salinity of the remaining water to become very high. Osilinus lineatus can tolerate such an increase in salinity and an intolerance of low has been recorded.

Low High Low Moderate
Decrease in salinity [Show more]

Decrease in salinity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., a change of two categories from the MNCR salinity scale for one week (view glossary) such as from full to reduced.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., a change of one category from the MNCR salinity scale for one year (view glossary) such as from reduced to low. Further details.

Evidence

This species is found in large estuaries such as the Bristol Channel where salinities are less than at open coast locations. It is also found higher up the shore where small trickles of freshwater occur on the rock.

Low High Low Moderate
Changes in oxygenation [Show more]

Changes in oxygenation

Benchmark.  Exposure to a dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 mg/l for one week. Further details.

Evidence

Osilinus lineatus has the ability to breathe in air as well as water, due to a well vascularised mantle cavity used for respiration along with their gill (Crothers, 2001). It actively removes itself from the water when the tide is retreating and the oxygen content of residual water decreases. This behaviour suggests a high intolerance to low oxygen content in water which has resulted in a behavioural adaptation.

High Moderate Moderate Moderate

Biological pressures

Use [show more] / [show less] to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites [Show more]

Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites

Benchmark. Sensitivity can only be assessed relative to a known, named disease, likely to cause partial loss of a species population or community. Further details.

Evidence

Lichomolgid copepods have been recorded inside Osilinus lineatus. However, no information concerning the effect of such infestation was found.

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Introduction of non-native species [Show more]

Introduction of non-native species

Sensitivity assessed against the likely effect of the introduction of alien or non-native species in Britain or Ireland. Further details.

Evidence

Introduction of non-native topshells occupying a similar zone on the shore (e.g. Gibbula pennanti) may increase competition for food resources. Depending on which species is the competitive dominant, Osilinus lineatus may reduce the width of its zone or maintain its distribution and force the invasive species further down the shore into the low shore zone. Therefore, an intolerance of intermediate has been recorded. Recoverability would be dependent on the removal of the non-native species, which is probably unlikely to occur.

Intermediate Not relevant NR Low
Extraction of this species [Show more]

Extraction of this species

Benchmark. Extraction removes 50% of the species or community from the area under consideration. Sensitivity will be assessed as 'intermediate'. The habitat remains intact or recovers rapidly. Any effects of the extraction process on the habitat itself are addressed under other factors, e.g. displacement, abrasion and physical disturbance, and substratum loss. Further details.

Evidence

It is possible that Osilinus lineatus may be removed from the shore as misidentified Littorina littorea by winkle collectors due to their similar external appearance. On shores where Osilinus lineatus is rare or absent the topshell Steromphala umbilicalis can become more abundant in the mid shore zone where Osilinus lineatus would otherwise occur. This is likely to be the result of decreased competition for the detrital scraps of microalgae.

Intermediate High Low Low
Extraction of other species [Show more]

Extraction of other species

Benchmark. A species that is a required host or prey for the species under consideration (and assuming that no alternative host exists) or a keystone species in a biotope is removed. Any effects of the extraction process on the habitat itself are addressed under other factors, e.g. displacement, abrasion and physical disturbance, and substratum loss. Further details.

Evidence

It is possible that Osilinus lineatus may be removed from the shore as misidentified Littorina littorea by winkle collectors due to their similar external appearance.

Intermediate High Low Low

Additional information

Recoverability. Phorcus lineatus was severely affected on shores throughout Britain and Ireland during the cold winter of 1962/63 (Crisp (ed.), 1964a). Populations were completely wiped out at many sites in north and south Wales (Crisp, 1964b, Moyse & Nelson-Smith, 1964), and northeast Ireland (Boaden et al., 1964) and some have yet to become re-established. Recoverability has been low due to the latitudinal extent of the mortality, as this species has localized recruitment and there have been no neighbouring populations in the north of Wales to facilitate recolonization of these locations. It is highly likely that the range of Phorcus lineatus is temperature limited in Britain as range extensions past historical limits have occurred during the recent period of rapid climate warming (Kendal et al. in submission).
Phorcus lineatus is widely distributed on rocky shores between the 20°C summer isotherm off Africa and the 6.5°C winter isotherm off Anglesey. Northern limits are primarily set by reproductive failure (Lewis et al., 1982; Lewis, 1986; Kendall, 1987) but may also be determined by hydrography or unsuitable habitat (Crisp & Knight-Jones, 1953).  Phorcus lineatus shows increased reproductive success under warmer conditions. Research suggests that the reproductive cycle is lengthened and multiple spawning events occur in locations with consistently higher temperatures of approximately 6°C than in Britain, typical of the coastal waters of Spain (Bode et al., 1986). If a population can reproduce successfully on a regular basis then it should be able to recover from detrimental physical alterations in the environment once the factor has been removed and conditions revert to their previous state. This is provided that enough mature adults survive or sufficient recruits from neighbouring populations settle in that location.

Importance review

Policy/legislation

- no data -

Status

Non-native

ParameterData
Native-
Origin-
Date Arrived-

Importance information

Phorcus lineatus may be taken as bycatch by people collecting the winkle Littorina littorea.

Bibliography

  1. Boaden, P.J.S., Gotto, R.V., Hartnoll, R.G. & Williams, G., 1964. North-east Ireland. Journal of Animal Ecology, 33, 197.

  2. Bode, A., Lombas, I. & Anadon, N., 1986. Preliminary studies on the reproduction and population dynamics of Monodonta lineata and Gibbula umbilicalis (Mollusca, Gastropoda) on the central coast of Asturias (N. Spain). Hydrobiologia, 142, 31-39.

  3. Crisp, D.J. & Knight-Jones, E.W., 1953. Discontinuities in the distribution of shore animals in North Wales. Report of the Bardsey Observatory, 29-34.

  4. Crisp, D.J. & Southward, A.J., 1958. The distribution of intertidal organisms along the coasts of the English Channel. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 37, 157-208.

  5. Crisp, D.J. (ed.), 1964. The effects of the severe winter of 1962-63 on marine life in Britain. Journal of Animal Ecology, 33, 165-210.

  6. Crothers, J.H., 2001. Common topshells: an introduction to the biology of Osilinus lineatus with notes on other species in the genus. Field Studies, 10, 115-160.

  7. Desai, B. N., 1966. The biology of Monodonta lineata (da Costa). Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London, 37, 1-17.

  8. Fish, J.D. & Fish, S., 1996. A student's guide to the seashore. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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Datasets

  1. Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, 2018. Ulster Museum Marine Surveys of Northern Ireland Coastal Waters. Occurrence dataset https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/CEDaR-Centre-for-Environmental-Data-and-Recording.aspx accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-25.

  2. Cofnod – North Wales Environmental Information Service, 2018. Miscellaneous records held on the Cofnod database. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/hcgqsi accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-25.

  3. Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland, 2018. Mollusc (marine) data for Great Britain and Ireland - restricted access. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/4bsawx accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-25.

  4. Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland, 2018. Mollusc (marine) records for Great Britain and Ireland. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/aurwcz accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-25.

  5. Fenwick, 2018. Aphotomarine. Occurrence dataset http://www.aphotomarine.com/index.html Accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01

  6. National Trust, 2017. National Trust Species Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/opc6g1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  7. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  8. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2024. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2024-03-28

  9. South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, 2018. SEWBReC Molluscs (South East Wales). Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/jos5ga accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Mieszkowska, N. 2008. Phorcus lineatus Thick top shell. In Tyler-Walters H. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 28-03-2024]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1324

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Last Updated: 17/04/2008