Patella pellucida: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
{{Taxobox |
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| color = pink |
| color = pink |
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| name = Blue- |
| name = Blue- |
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| status = |
| status = |
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| image = Blue_Rayed_Limpet_John_Bishop.jpg |
| image = Blue_Rayed_Limpet_John_Bishop.jpg |
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The ''' |
The '''- ''' ''Patella pellucidum'' (sometimes referred to as ''Helcion pellucidum'') is a small [[limpet]] belonging to the family [[Patellidae]], a type of [[mollusc]]. |
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Up to |
Up to long when fully grown, it is easily identified by its [[translucent]] amber shell with brilliant blue spots running in lines across the top of the shell. |
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It grows primarily on ''[[Laminaria]]'' ([[kelp]]) but can also be found on ''[[Fucus serratus]]''. The [[larvae]] settle and [[metamorphosis (biology)|metamorphose]] on the [[frond]] where it feeds on its host’s tissue using its [[radula]], leaving small depressions in the [[frond]]. As the limpets grow they move down the [[Stipe (botany)|stipe]] of the [[seaweed]] towards the [[holdfast]] where it establishes itself by excavating a hole. This weakens the [[holdfast]], eventually resulting in the [[seaweed]] being dislodged by storms. The seaweed is often washed ashore, with the blue-rayed limpet still attached. |
It grows primarily on ''[[Laminaria]]'' ([[kelp]]) but can also be found on ''[[Fucus serratus]]''. The [[larvae]] settle and [[metamorphosis (biology)|metamorphose]] on the [[frond]] where it feeds on its host’s tissue using its [[radula]], leaving small depressions in the [[frond]]. As the limpets grow they move down the [[Stipe (botany)|stipe]] of the [[seaweed]] towards the [[holdfast]] where it establishes itself by excavating a hole. This weakens the [[holdfast]], eventually resulting in the [[seaweed]] being dislodged by storms. The seaweed is often washed ashore, with the blue-rayed limpet still attached. |
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==Distribution== |
==Distribution== |
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primarily on [[kelp]] in the lower shore, to about 30 . Found on East [[Atlantic]] coasts from [[Iceland]] and [[Norway]], to [[Portugal]]; absent from [[Baltic Sea]], East [[Denmark]], [[Belgium]] and [[Holland]]. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 15:24, 11 January 2007
| Blue-rayed limpet | |
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| File:Blue Rayed Limpet John Bishop.jpg | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | P. pellucidum
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| Binomial name | |
| Patella pellucidum Linnaeus, 1758
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The blue-rayed limpet, Patella pellucidum, (sometimes referred to as Helcion pellucidum) is a small limpet belonging to the family Patellidae, a type of mollusc.
Up to 15 mm long when fully grown, it is easily identified by its translucent amber shell with brilliant blue spots running in lines across the top of the shell.
It grows primarily on Laminaria (kelp) but can also be found on Fucus serratus. The larvae settle and metamorphose on the frond where it feeds on its host’s tissue using its radula, leaving small depressions in the frond. As the limpets grow they move down the stipe of the seaweed towards the holdfast where it establishes itself by excavating a hole. This weakens the holdfast, eventually resulting in the seaweed being dislodged by storms. The seaweed is often washed ashore, with the blue-rayed limpet still attached.
Distribution
It lives primarily on kelp in the lower shore, to about 30 m. Found on East Atlantic coasts from Iceland and Norway, to Portugal; absent from the Baltic Sea, East Denmark, Belgium and Holland.