Haliotis tuberculata tuberculata
Linnaeus, 1758 |
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English Channel to Mediterranean, to W. Africa. Herbivore and grazer in the upper infralittoral, in rocky environments. Mediterranean shells are characterized by a smaller size than in the Atlantic, a more lengthened shape, a larger variety of colours and patterns, a stronger spiral sculpture (grooves or plates, sometimes scales) and finally by the capacity to develop extremely pronounced radial folds or lamellae.
2m deep, underside of rocks and stones, anse de l’Arène, Cassis, Provence, S. France. 27-37mm. |
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Synonym: vulgaris da Costa, 1778.
1m deep, in the harbour, Isola Rossa, NW. Corsica. 22-31mm. |
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| Porto Vecchio, S. Corsica. 51-52mm. |
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| Microsculpture on a smooth specimen from 4m deep, Anse des Fossettes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, SE. France. 46mm. |
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A specimen from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, SW. France. Original picture provided by A. Bertrand (FR).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) – |
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Other synonym: lamellosa Lamarck, 1822.
2-6m deep, Falasarna bay, Kissamos, W. Crete. 38-48mm. |
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| 8-14m deep, on coralline algae, around the citadel, Calvi, NW. Corsica. 28-42mm. |
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| Ultra-folded and tall-spired specimen. 5m deep, under stones, northern Kolokitha cove, Elounda, Lasithi, N. Crete. 32mm. |
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| 2m deep, Ormos cove, Ágios Nikólaos, Lasithi. 27mm. |
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Green: 6m deep, at the base of big, granitic boulders, Cala d’Alivu, Isola Rossa. 37mm.
Red: 18m deep, Castelvieil Point, En Vau, Cassis, Provence, S. France. 33-36mm. |
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Unusually rough and large specimen from northern Adriatic.
2m deep, under rock, Chioggia, Venezia. 57,5mm. |
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| The species, pictured on a stamp of Malta Post. |
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| Ultra juvenile (zero hole) from Leucate, Occitania, S. France. 1,3mm. Original pictures provided by S. Clanzig (FR) on Le Naturaliste – (CC BY-NC-SA). |
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Juvenile. Plage du Prophète at Marseille, Provence. Original picture provided by M. Matejčeková for iNaturalist.
– (CC BY-NC) – |
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| Above and below: specimens from Saména cove, south of Marseille, Provence, S. France. Original pictures provided by S. Le Bris for iNaturalist – (CC BY-NC). |
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| Young specimen on its favourite background. |
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La Madrague de Montredon, south of Marseille.
Original picture provided by S. Le Bris for iNaturalist.
– (CC BY-NC) – |
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| Colour variations in the mantle of the animal, in red specimens found on rocks, northern coast of Maïre Island, near Cap Croisette, south of Marseille, Provence, S. France. Original pictures provided by S. Le Bris for iNaturalist – (CC BY-NC), observations 386917900 and 386915406. |
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3m deep, Gulf of Saros, NE. Aegean. 47mm.
Original pictures provided by E. del Fiero (IT).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) – |
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On rock, Paralia Mourtiás, Mortiá, SE. Magnesia, Thessalia, Greece. – Original picture provided by C. Taklis for iNaturalist – (CC BY). Notice, between the numerous tentacles, the small digiform epipodial projections (pale green). In the variant “mykonosensis”, these projections are more ramified. |
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Variation of sculpture in maltese specimens.
Original pictures provided by R. Shead (MT).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) – |
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A specimen from Supetar islet, Cavtat, S. Croatia. 45,3mm.
Original pictures provided by R. Crnković (HR).
– (CC BY-NC-SA) – |
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Shape variation in Cavtat area.
Top: Uvala Tiha, 35,5mm.
Bottom: teratologic from Supetar islet. 34,5mm. |
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| Juvenile with 3 holes. Shell grit, Vignola Bay, Marina di Davia, Corbara, NW. Corsica. 4mm. |
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| Underside of rock, Vignola Bay. |
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| Fleeing to avoid the light. Vignola Bay. |
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| Eastern shore of the Punta di Parata, Corbara. |
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| Same spot. |