Littorina littorea

Overview

MarLIN describes a pointed conical shell, usually dark grey or brown, whose juvenile spiral ridges fade with age. The central shell axis is white, and the broad tentacles carry transverse black bars.

It grazes fine green, brown and red algae. Because movement costs less underwater, it is more active when submerged. It occupies rocky coasts and sheltered sandy or muddy settings and tolerates brackish water.

North Western IFCA distinguishes the edible winkle from small, rough and flat periwinkles. Exposure time, weather, temperature and interactions with other organisms influence where it sits on the shore, and the authority records hand collection on the Drigg coast.

Origins & earliest records

MarLIN attributes the scientific name to Linnaeus, 1758. This dates naming, not evolutionary origin; original type material was not examined.

Evidence & interpretation

Based on the MarLIN species account and a North Western IFCA fisheries species page.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Common periwinkle (Littorina littorea)

   · 2008

   Selected bibliography; MarLIN species account for shell, diet, habitat and classification.

2. 02

   Winkle

   · n.d.

   Selected bibliography; North Western IFCA page for identification and Cumbrian hand collection.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Only family placement is source-established in the packet; species authority and higher ranks were not supplied.

1. FamilyLittorinidae

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Institutional species accountCommon periwinkle (Littorina littorea)Research access: 2026-10-07
2. Fisheries authority web pageWinkleResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.