Blue-rayed Limpet

Patella pellucida is a species of small saltwater limpet, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Patellidae, the true limpets.

Range of distribution

This limpet occurs off the eastern Atlantic coasts from Iceland and Norway, to Portugal. It is absent from the Baltic Sea, East Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Shell description

Up to 15 mm long when fully grown, this species is easily identified by its translucent amber shell with brilliant blue spots running in lines across the top of the shell.

Habitat

The blue-rayed limpet lives primarily on Laminaria (kelp) in strong flowing water but also on Fucus serratus on the lower shore, down to about 30 m.

Life habits

The larvae of this limpet species settle and metamorphose on the algal frond. Here it feeds on its host’s tissue using its radula, leaving small depressions in the frond.

As the limpets grow larger, they move down the stipe of the seaweed towards the holdfast, where they establish themselves by excavating a depression. This can weaken the holdfast, eventually resulting in the seaweed being dislodged by storms. The seaweed is often washed ashore, with the blue-rayed limpets still in place.