(Thompson, 1844)
Description (shell):
Shell small, cap-shaped, apex central, recurved posteriorly, with spiral protoconch. Radiating ridges and growth lines produce finely reticulate surface, often more discernible on younger parts of shell. Internally, a small septum projects from posterior face of shell below apex.
Size:
Up to 4 x 3 x 2.5 mm.
Colour:
White, semi-transparent.
Animal:
Body patelliform, similar to Lepeta caeca but with mouth elongated in anterio-lateral direction and mantle edge slightly crinkled.
Habitat:
Sublittoral only, on hard substrata, from 7 to 170 m, deepest distribution in southern parts of range.
Distribution:
Distributed from Norway south to Azores and Mediterranean; absent from Baltic, southern North Sea and English Channel (Distr. Pr. exiguum).