Tectura virginea

Virgin limpet ( Tectura virginea )

The Virgin limpet ( Tectura virginea syn. Acmaea virginea ) is a snail from the family of Acmaeidae from local waters. It is striking, as with all " limpets " the cup-like shape. The adjective " virgin" on the other hand refers to the delicate pink color of this worm.

Features

The fixed -shell, up to 1.5 cm long, cup-shaped housing is in the plan view ( from above) oval. The apex is relatively far forward. The surface is almost completely smooth. Radial and growth lines are only weakly developed. Normally, the color of the scroll is white with a pink tinge, sometimes even also slightly yellowish. In alluvial cases the staining is often faded. The inside of the case is pink or white.

Geographical distribution and habitat

The Virgin limpet comes in the coastal waters of the eastern North Atlantic from Norway prior to the Cape Verde islands, including the North Sea and the Mediterranean. She lives there on hard floors, shells and stones in tide pools that are coated with the red alga Lithoderma, from 0 to 120 m water depth.

Way of life

The animals graze from the encrusting red algae Lithoderma.