Knapp in Murray, 1857

Description (shell):
Shell like that of Patella ulyssiponensis in shape and sculpture, usually smaller and narrower anteriorly; a flattened cone (apical angle approx. 120°) with fine radiating ribs (P. intermedia-drawing).

Size:
Up to 30 x 25 x 12 mm.

Colour:
Distinctive orange-brown marginal rays on inner surface, the central part yellow.

Animal:
Foot dark olive or black, pallial tentacles chalky white; body otherwise similar to Patella vulgata .

Habitat:
On exposed rocky shores only, from MHWN to MLWN, prefers vertical surfaces.

Distribution:
A Mediterranean species reaching its northern limit on shores of south-west England and Wales; rare on west coast of Ireland. Probably not in the North Sea.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Subclass Prosobranchia
Superorder Archaeogastropoda
Order Docoglossa
Family Patellidae
Genus Patella
Species Patella intermedia

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Patella intermedia Murray in Knapp, 1857

Scientific synonyms and common names

Patella intermedia Knapp in Murray, 1857
Patella auricola da Costa, 1771 ; partim
Patella depressa Pennant, 1777
Patella laevigata Gmelin, 1791
Patella conus Röding, 1798 ; partim
Patella electrina Reeve, 1854
Patella goudoti Mabille, 1888

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.

You can continue searching for Patella intermedia on one of these Web sites:

Fauna Europaea (animals) | IOPI (plants) | NCBI (genetic)

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