APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

A-P-H-O-T-O Wildlife Stock Image Library
Patella pellucida (Linnaeus, 1758) var. laevis - Blue-rayed limpet
Scroll down and rollover titles to change screen image or click on title to view image.
Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- shell top view 1

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- collection of shells 1

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- shell underside 1

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- animal underside / foot 1

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- animal underside / foot 2

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- animal underside / foot 3

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- animal inside kelp holdfast 1

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- animal inside kelp holdfast 2

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- live animal 1

Blue-rayed limpet
Patella pellucida
- live animal 2

Images here are of those once regarded as Helcion pellucidum var. laevis.

A small species of limpet usually less than half inch in length but can grow to an inch. Live animals can be commonly seen on the lower shore feeding on kelp, it's beautiful blue markings are most striking. The shells are quite brittle and break easily and are found along the high tide mark. This species is common on both north and south coasts.

Images taken on both north and south coasts of the Westcountry; a common find at the extreme low water mark. Images of live animal found in a kelp holdfast were taken at Sennen Cove, Cornwall.

Scientific and European Names:
Patella pellucida, Ansates pellucida, Helcion pellucidum, Blue-rayed Limpet, Blauwgestreepte Schaalhoren, Gladde Schaalhoren, Helcion Transparent, Patine.

Patella pellucida Ansates pellucida Helcion laevis Blue rayed Limpet marine snail images
The main objective of this website is in furthering environmental awareness and education through the medium of photography. To increase awareness and access to the wildlife of the region and help
people find and identify it. Sometimes the difference between species is obvious but many species can only be determined by observing microscopic characteristics that are specific to any one species.