06 Patella pellucida. Length 4.7mm. Growth Stage 3h (GS3h). Littoral. March 2017. West Anglesey, Wales.

Most authors associate holdfast dwelling with adults in distorted shells over 10mm length, but careful observation will reveal juveniles like this 4.7mm (GS3) one that has established itself on a tendril within a holdfast that is already occupied by an adult (removed for photograph) that has eaten out a large central pit. It is unlikely that the juvenile would be able to prosper against this adult, but virtually all adults in holdfasts move in as juveniles under 6mm length.

Concise
Part 1, SHELL FORMS: 02 Patella pellucida. Growth Stage 2 (GS2). July 2012. Littoral. North Yorkshire, England. © P. Lightfoot.
Part 2, BODY & ANATOMY: 03 Patella pellucida. Growth Stage 3 (GS3). 2009. Sublittoral, Farne Islands, Northumberland, England. © P.Lightfoot.
Part, 3 HABITS & ECOLOGY: 04 Patella pellucida. Length 4.6mm. Growth Stage 3 (GS3). September 2016. Yorkshire, England. © P.Lightfoot.

Imprint

Photographic guide to the identification and biology of European marine invertebrates

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