Periwinkle (mollusc)

From Freepedia

? Periwinkle
Image:Littorina littorina.jpg Common periwinkle, Littorina littorea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gastropoda Order: Mesogastropoda Family: Littorinidae Subfamily: Littorininae Genus: Littorina Linnaeus, 1758
Species
L. angulifera L. araucana L. aspera L. coccinea L. fasciata L. flava L. intermedia L. lineolata L. littorea, common periwinkle L. meleagris L. mespillum L. neritoides L. nigrolineata L. obtusata, flat periwinkle L. peruviana L. pintado L. planaxis L. punctata L. saxatilis, rough periwinkle L. scutulata, checkered periwinkle L. sitkana L. striata L. unifasciata L. varia L. zebra L. ziczac

Periwinkles are mollusks of the genus Littorina. They have a visceral mass, radula, foot, and a distinct head. There is also a flap called an operculum, that allows the snail to retreat and close up its entrance.

The most well-known species is Littorina littorea, known as the common or edible periwinkle, or winkle. It is eaten throughout Europe.

Periwinkles are abundant on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America.