(Müller, 1776)

Description (shell):
Shell fragile, semi-transparent, with up to three rapidly expanding, tumid whorls, covered by periostracum; last whorl comprises most of shell; spire low, occasionally in a small depression. Sculpture of fine spiral striae and growth lines, producing reticulate pattern. Aperture almost circular, slightly indented by last whorl; periostracum projects beyond margin of outer lip (V. velutina-drawing).

Size:
Up to 20 x 20 mm, but commonly smaller.

Colour:
Shell white, periostracum dark brown.

Animal:
Mantle edge smooth, greatly thickened; foot shield-shaped, with double-edged anterior margin; no operculum (V. velutina-animal).

Habitat:
Associated with tunicates, particularly solitary species such as Styela ; normally sublittoral, to 1000 m, but may occur at ELWST.

Distribution:
Circumboreal, extending down west coasts of British Isles to Mediterranean; deeper in the southern parts of its range (Distr. V. velutina).

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Subclass Prosobranchia
Superorder Caenogastropoda
Order Neotaenioglossa
Family Velutinidae
Genus Velutina
Species Velutina velutina

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Velutina velutina (Müller O.F., 1776)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Bulla velutina Müller, 1776
Helix laevigata Linné, 1758
Velutina capuloides de Blainville, 1825
Velutina rupicola Conrad, 1866
Velutina capuliformis Locard, 1886

Ankel, W.E., 1926. Lamellibranchia. In Grimpe, G. & Wagler, E.: Die Tierwelt der Nord- und Ostsee.

Graham, Alastair F.R.S., 1988. Molluscs: Prosobranch and Pyramidellid Gastropods. Synopses of the British fauna (NS), 2: 1-662.

Hayward, P.J., Wigham, G.D. & N. Yonow, 1990. Mollusca I: Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, and Gastropoda. In: The Marine Fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe. (ed. P.J. Hayward & J.S. Ryland). Clarendon Press, Oxford: 628-730.

Poppe, G.T. & Y. Goto, 1991. European Seashells. Vol. I. 352 pp. Wiesbaden/Verlag Christa Hemmen.

Seaward, D.R., 1990. Distribution of the marine molluscs of north west Europe. Nature Conservancy Council.

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