Blue periwinkle

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Blue periwinkle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Superorder: Caenogastropoda
Order: Sorbeoconcha
Suborder: Hypsogastropoda
Infraorder: Littorinimorpha
Superfamily: Littorinoidea
Family: Littorinidae
Genus: Nodilittorina
Species: N. unifasciata
Binomial name
Nodilittorina unifasciata
(Grey, 1826)

The Blue Periwinkle or Nodilittorina unifasciata Grey, 1826, is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Littorinidae, the periwinkles.

The common name of this snail derives from the pale bluish-grey color of the shell, which ranges in adult size from 10 mm to 16 mm.

Contents

[edit] Distribution

This common periwinkle lives in Australia and New Zealand.

[edit] Habitat

This species of periwinkle lives in the splash zone and high intertidal zone, where it is found in clusters of individuals.

[edit] Life habits

The blue periwinkle grazes on lichen and algae.

[edit] Predators

This small snail is eaten by crabs and birds.

[edit] References

  • G.J. Edgar - Australian Marine Life ; Reed New Holland Publishers (1997)
  • W.J. Dakin - Australian Sea Shores; Angus and Robertson Publishers (1952)

[edit] External links

  • Nomenclature: [1]
  • Other information: [2]
  • Image of a cluster of individuals: [3]


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