(Linné, 1758)
Description (shell):
Shell permanently covered by mantle; fragile, with two or three rapidly expanding whorls and short spire; last whorl about 95 % of shell height. Smooth, apart from growth lines; fine spiral lines on some shells. Aperture rather spoon-shaped, drawn out basally to right; peristome in marked prosocline plane (L. perspicua-drawing).
Size:
Up to 9-10 mm.
Colour:
Colour variable, often grey or grey-lilac flecked with white, but buff or orange forms occur, which when flecked with black may resemble Lamellaria latens.
Animal:
Mantle edge thickened, with siphonal groove anteriorly; dorsal surface tuberculate. Foot rather elongate, double-edged anteriorly, without operculum. Body up to 20 x 12 mm (L. perspicua-animal).
Habitat:
Fairly common under stones, in pools and on surfaces covered by compound ascidians; LWST down to 1200 m.
Distribution:
Distributed from Mediterranean to northern Norway and Iceland; widely distributed around British Isles and Helgoland (Distr. L. perspicua).