Patella ulyssiponensis

Researched ByKen Neal & Marie SkewesData Supplied ByMarLIN
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific namePatella ulyssiponensisCommon nameChina limpet
MCS CodeW230Recent SynonymsPatella aspera (Röding, 1798)
PhylumMolluscaSubphylum
SuperclassClassGastropoda
SubclassProsobranchiaOrderPatellogastropoda
SuborderFamilyPatellidae
GenusPatellaSpeciesulyssiponensis
Subspecies  
Additional InformationPatella ulyssiponensis was formerly known as Patella aspera.
Taxonomy References Lincoln et al, 1998, Fish & Fish, 1996, Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Graham, 1988
General Biology
Growth formConicalFeeding methodHerbivore
Mobility/MovementCrawlerEnvironmental positionEpibenthic
Typical food typesEpilithic algae and biofilms.HabitFree living
BioturbatorNot relevantFlexibilityNone (< 10 degrees)
FragilityRobustSizeSmall-medium(3-10cm)
HeightInsufficient informationGrowth Rate5 - 7 mm/year
Adult dispersal potentialNoneDependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
Additional InformationOn rocky shores of wave exposure grade 1 (Ballantine scale: Ballantine, 1964), Patella ulyssiponensis occurs at densities of 1000 m² but individuals are small (Thompson, 1979). On less wave exposed shores density is lower but individuals are larger.

Patella ulyssiponensis is parasitised by Cercaria patellae, a trematode platyhelminth, which have infection levels of 5-10% in adults and can cause damage of the digestive gland. Gymnophallid metacercariae infect between the mantle and the shell and have an infection level of approximately 5%. The gut of Patella ulyssiponensis is sometimes infected by larval cyclophyllidean tapeworms (Kinne, 1980).

Biology References Thompson, 1979, Kinne, 1980, Delaney et al., 1998
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandThe china limpet is found around most of the coast of the British Isles, reaching its northern limit in the Shetland Isles. Absent or rare on south-east shores of England from the Humber Estuary to the Isle of Wight.
Global distributionPatella ulyssiponensis is a southern (Lusitanian) species extending south to the Mediterranean.
Biogeographic rangeNot researchedDepth rangeIntertidal
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional InformationIn wave exposed situations, Patella ulyssiponensis is the commonest limpet on the lower shore.
Substratum preferencesBedrockPhysiographic preferencesOpen coast
Biological zoneSublittoral Fringe, Upper InfralittoralWave exposureExtremely Exposed, Very Exposed, Exposed
Tidal stream strength/Water flowVery Strong (>6 kn), Strong (3-6 kn)SalinityVariable (18-40 psu), Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information
Distribution References Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fretter & Graham, 1994, Hayward et al., 1996, Graham, 1988
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeProtandrous hermaphrodite Developmental mechanismPlanktotrophic
Reproductive SeasonAugust to OctoberReproductive LocationInsufficient information
Reproductive frequencyAnnual episodic Regeneration potentialNo
Life span11-20 yearsAge at reproductive maturity3-5 years
Generation time3-5 yearsFecundityInsufficient information
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient informationFertilization typeInsufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential>10kmLarval settlement periodInsufficient information
Duration of larval stage2-10 days  
Additional InformationMaturation of gonads begins in May/June and all mature individuals have ripe gonads by mid-August. Spawning occurs in October and is believed to be triggered by strong gales (Thompson, 1979). The sex ratio of this species varies with size of individual. For example, at 20 mm shell length, all mature individuals are male, while from 20 mm to full size the number of females increases until at 55 mm around 70% of the mature individuals are female (Thompson, 1979).
Reproduction References Thompson, 1979