MolluscaBase eds. (2026). MolluscaBase. Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140262 on 2026-03-18
accepted
Valid name (ICZN) or name considered to be taxonomically correct (ICBN)
Species
Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]
Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm]. 1(10) [iii], 824 p.
Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertèbres. Tome septième, 711 pp. Paris, published by the author
Lamarck, [J.-B. M.] de. (1822). Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertèbres. Tome septième, 711 pp. Paris, published by the author.
An outline of the geology of Norfolk. John Stacy, Norwich. Longman & Co, London. pp. 54, pls I - VI, 1 map.
Woodward, S. (1833). An outline of the geology of Norfolk. John Stacy, Norwich. Longman & Co, London. pp. 54, pls I - VI, 1 map.
The genera of recent and fossil shells, for the use of students, in conchology and geology. Published in 42 parts. Vol. 1, pls 1-126 [1821-1825]; vol. 2, pls 127-262 + text (unpaginated) [1825-1834]. London: G. B. Sowerby.
Sowerby I, G. B. (1821-1834). The genera of recent and fossil shells, for the use of students, in conchology and geology. Published in 42 parts. Vol. 1, pls 1-126 [1821-1825]; vol. 2, pls 127-262 + text (unpaginated) [1825-1834]. London: G. B. Sowerby.
Illustrations of the Fossil Conchology of Britain and Ireland, with Descriptions and Localities of all the Species
A Monograph of the Crag Mollusca or, descriptions of shells from the middle and upper tertiaries of the east of England. Part 1. Univalves
Wood, S. V. (1848). A Monograph of the Crag Mollusca or, descriptions of shells from the middle and upper tertiaries of the east of England. Part 1. Univalves. Monograph of the Palaeontographical Society of London. 1: i-xii, 1–208, 1–21 pls.
Beiträge zur einer Malacozoologica Rossica, II. Aufzählung und Beschreibung der zur Meeresfauna Russlands gehörigen Einschaler
Middendorff T. A. von. (1849). Beiträge zur einer Malacozoologica Rossica, II. Aufzählung und Beschreibung der zur Meeresfauna Russlands gehörigen Einschaler. Mémoires de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de St-Petersbourg, sixième série, Sciences naturelles. 6: 329-516, pl. 1-11.
Prodrome de malacologie française. Catalogue général des mollusques vivants de France. Mollusques marins. Lyon: H. Georg & Paris: Baillière. x + 778 pp.
Locard, A. (1886). Prodrome de malacologie française. Catalogue général des mollusques vivants de France. Mollusques marins. Lyon: H. Georg & Paris: Baillière. x + 778 pp.
Note sur la variete "unicarinata", nobis. observee chez le "Littorina littorea (male)
Raeymaekers, D. (1889). Note sur la variete "unicarinata", nobis. observee chez le "Littorina littorea (male). Annales de la Societe Royale Malacologique de Belgique. 24: xxxvi-xxxviii.
Smaa Bidrag til Artsbestemmelserne indefor Slaegterne Littorina og Hydrobia
Teilmann-Friis A. (1898). Smaa Bidrag til Artsbestemmelserne indefor Slaegterne Littorina og Hydrobia. Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra den Naturhistoriske Forening i Kjøbenhavn 1897: 211-215
Faunule malacologique des environs de Saint-Malo.
Dautzenberg, P. & Durouchoux, P. (1900). Faunule malacologique des environs de Saint-Malo. La Feuille des Jeunes Naturalistes. 31: 39-62.
Om de sen glaciale og postglaciale niva-foran-dringer i Christiania fältet
Brøgger W.C. 1900-1901. Om de senglaciale og postglaciale nivåforandringer i Kristianiafeltet (Molluskfaunan). Norges Geologiske Undersøgelse, 31: 1-731, pl. 1-19.
Supplément à la faunule malacologique des environs de Saint-Malo
Dautzenberg, Ph.; Durouchoux, P. (1906). Supplément à la faunule malacologique des environs de Saint-Malo. La Feuille des Jeunes Naturalistes. 36: 39-45, 53-60, 73-77.
Mollusques provenant des campagnes de l'Hirondelle et de la Princesse-Alice dans les Mers du Nord. Résultats des Campagnes Scientifiques Accomplies sur son Yacht par Albert Ier Prince Souverain de Monaco, 37: 1-629, 11 plates.
Dautzenberg, P. & Fischer, H. (1912). Mollusques provenant des campagnes de l'Hirondelle et de la Princesse-Alice dans les Mers du Nord. Résultats des Campagnes Scientifiques Accomplies sur son Yacht par Albert Ier Prince Souverain de Monaco, 37: 1-629, 11 plates.
Les mollusques de la Baie de Saint-Malo (suite)
Dautzenberg, P.; Durouchoux, P. (1913). Les mollusques de la Baie de Saint-Malo (suite). La Feuille des Jeunes Naturalistes. 43(515): 9-16.
The Pliocene Mollusca of Great Britain, being supplementary to S.V. Wood's monograph of the Crag Mollusca. Vol. 2.
Harmer F. W. (1920-1925). The Pliocene Mollusca of Great Britain, being supplementary to S.V. Wood's monograph of the Crag Mollusca. Vol. 2. Monographs of the Palaeontographical Society. 72(344): 485-652, pl. 45-52 (part 1, December 1920); 73(346): 653-704, pl. 53-56 (part 2, July 1921); 75(352): 705-856, pl. 57-64 (part 3, December 1923); 76(354): i-xiv, 857-900, pl. 65 (part 4, January 1925).
Museum Boltenianum sive Catalogus cimeliorum e tribus regnis naturæ quæ olim collegerat Joa. Fried Bolten, M. D. p. d. per XL. annos proto physicus Hamburgensis. Pars secunda continens Conchylia sive Testacea univalvia, bivalvia & multivalvia
Röding, P. F. (1798). Museum Boltenianum sive Catalogus cimeliorum e tribus regnis naturæ quæ olim collegerat Joa. Fried Bolten, M. D. p. d. per XL. annos proto physicus Hamburgensis. Pars secunda continens Conchylia sive Testacea univalvia, bivalvia & multivalvia. Trapp, Hamburg, viii + 199 pp.
Les mollusques marins du Finistère et en particulier de la région de Roscoff
Dautzenberg, P.; Fischer, H. (1925). Les mollusques marins du Finistère et en particulier de la région de Roscoff. Travaux de la Station Biologique de Roscoff. 2: 1-180.
Assessing the global threat of invasive species to marine biodiversity.
Molnar, J.L., R.L. Gamboa, C. Revenga & M.D. Spalding. (2008). Assessing the global threat of invasive species to marine biodiversity. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 6(9): 485-492.
Monitoring van de effecten van de verruiming 48'/43': MOVE eindrapport 2006 (Rapport 10)
van Eck, G. Th. M.; Holzhauer, H. (2007). Monitoring van de effecten van de verruiming 48'/43': MOVE eindrapport 2006 (Rapport 10). Rapport RIKZ = Report RIKZ, 2007.003. RIKZ: Middelburg. 64 pp.
Systematics and evolution of Littorina
Reid, D. G. (1996). Systematics and evolution of Littorina. The Ray Society. 463p.
The comparative morphology, phylogeny and evolution of the gastropod family Littorinidae
Reid, D. G. (1989). The comparative morphology, phylogeny and evolution of the gastropod family Littorinidae. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 324: 1-110.
Latchford, F. R. (1915). Littorina littorea a fish. The Nautilus. 29(8): 96.
Clench, W. J. (1930). Littorina littorea Linn. The Nautilus. 43(3): 105.
Littorina littorea on the New Jersey coast
Alexander, R. C. (1947). Littorina littorea on the New Jersey coast. The Nautilus. 60(3): 73-76.
Alexander, R. C. (1947). Littorina littorea in New Jersey. The Nautilus. 61(2): 71.
Early records of Littorina littorea from the coast of Massachusetts
Dexter, R. W. (1961). Early records of Littorina littorea from the coast of Massachusetts. The Nautilus. 74(3): 120-121.
Supplementary notes on Pre-Colombian Littorina littorea in Nova Scotia
Clarke, A. H., Jr. (1963). Supplementary notes on Pre-Colombian Littorina littorea in Nova Scotia. The Nautilus. 77(1): 8-11.
An unusual form of Littorina littorea Linné found in Nova Scotia
Davis, D. S. (1972). An unusual form of Littorina littorea Linné found in Nova Scotia. The Nautilus. 86(2-4): 87.
Tentacle-branching in the periwinkle, Littorina littorea
Woodbridge, R. G., III. (1976). Tentacle-branching in the periwinkle, Littorina littorea. The Nautilus. 90(1): 52-54, figs. 1-10.
Crab-crushing of periwinkle shells, Littorina littorea, from two adjacent geographical provinces
Dudley, R. (1980). Crab-crushing of periwinkle shells, Littorina littorea, from two adjacent geographical provinces. The Nautilus. 94(3): 108-112.
Adaptation in marine invasion: a genetic perspective
Tepolt, C. K. (2014). Adaptation in marine invasion: a genetic perspective. Biological Invasions. 17(3): 887-903.
alikruikje met zeepokken levend op amerikaanse zwaardschede
A Periwinkle (Littorina littorea) feeding front on Deming Island, NS, Canada (45°12'42.21"N, 61°10'51.22"W, picture taken on 01 May 2016).
Periwinkles (Littorina littorea) on Deming Island NS, Canada (45°12'42.21"N, 61°10'51.22"W, picture taken on 01 May 2016).
Periwinkles (Littorina littorea) in the Fundy National Park, 45°32'47.21"N65°01'12.51"W, New Brunswick, Canada on 22 July 2017.
Periwinkle (Littorina littorea) tracks at the Islands Provincial Park, 43°45'34.78"N65°19'52.64"W, Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada on 30 July 2017.
Cooked periwikles (mixture of common and rough periwickles) sold in fish monger (Brugge, Belgium - 2017.08.25)
Find more information about this species at: http://www.rkapeller.eu/species.html?SM_Littorina_littorea Click here for the database with determination key for European mollusks
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Baltic sea
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Oostende
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Zeebrugge
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - British Isles
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - German Bight
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - North West Atlantic
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - West Coast of Norway
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Oostduinkerke
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Wimereux
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - California
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - European waters (ERMS scope)
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Gulf of St. Lawrence
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - United States
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Irish Exclusive economic Zone
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - United States part of the North Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Gulf of Maine
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Bar Road
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Brier Island
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Deadmans Harbour
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Minister's Island
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Sam Orr Pond
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Cobscook Bay
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - St. Lawrence Estuary
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Moroccan part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Coastal Waters of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Canadian part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Canadian part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Canadian part of the Coastal Waters of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Italian part of the Ligurian Sea
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Swedish part of the Skagerrak
Distribution for Littorina bartonensis T. Brown, 1841 - Great Britain
Distribution for Littorina communis T. Brown, 1841 - Great Britain
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Spain - Demarcación Marina Levantino-Balear
Distribution for Littorina littorea (Linnaeus, 1758) - Spain - Demarcación Marina Noratlántica
Alien
Species introduced by man into places out of their natural range of distribution
Invasive
Species that are known to be invasive- those species in whose cases evidence of impact has been recorded or which is spreading aggressively
Not specified
A species whose 'invasiveness' has not been specified in its introduced range. The species is known to be present and has been reported but there is no comment on its invasiveness
Reported
Species that are 'reported' to be present but with no further information
Absent
Species that were reported at some time to be present but were not recorded subsequently are reported to be ‘Absent’
Extirpated
Species that were present but have been declared extinct
Taxon Description Body size for Taxon denoted by name 140262
Taxon Description Functional group for Taxon denoted by name 101
Taxon Description AMBI ecological group for Taxon denoted by name 140262
Taxon Description Nomenclature code for Taxon denoted by name 2
Taxon Description Fossil range for Taxon denoted by name 445681
Taxon Description Fossil range for Taxon denoted by name 445680
Specification Context: Unit mm
Specification Context: Type maximum
Specification Context: Dimension height
Specification Context: Dimension width
Specification Context: Type minimum
Specification Context: Locality (MRGID) 1920
Specification Context: Dimension length