Mask limpet, speckled limpet • Tectura persona, Lottia persona
{persona = mask; 'mask' refers to the dark splotch in the interior of the shell that commonly has the appearance of a mask or face}
Mask limpets attached to intertidal rocks. Photos by Joel White (top right), Dawn Fizzard (left) and Kelly Fretwell (bottom right).
Identification
This limpet has an oval shell, with an off-centre (forward-shifted) apex. While the shell can reach 5 cm in diameter, it is usually smaller at around 3 cm. The shell is outwardly curved to give the shell an inflated appearance, and has a bluish-grey exterior mottled with brownish or black. The apex is speckled with white or tan. The shell may be slightly ribbed, but not prominently. The interior of the shell is bluish-white, with a dark margin and a dark stain behind the apex.
Habitat & Range
The mask limpet attaches to rocks and other hard surfaces; it shelters under rocks and ledges and in deep cracks and crevices during the day, and emerges at night to range more widely across the intertidal zone. It is found from the Aleutian Islands to Mexico, though it is not as common south of Monterey, California.
Similar Species
The plate limpet (Tectorum scutum) has a a similar appearance, but is lower and flatter.
Intriguing Info
Oystercatchers and crows prey on this species. It does not show an escape response in the presence of sea stars.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/339143-Lottia-persona
This limpet has an oval shell, with an off-centre (forward-shifted) apex. While the shell can reach 5 cm in diameter, it is usually smaller at around 3 cm. The shell is outwardly curved to give the shell an inflated appearance, and has a bluish-grey exterior mottled with brownish or black. The apex is speckled with white or tan. The shell may be slightly ribbed, but not prominently. The interior of the shell is bluish-white, with a dark margin and a dark stain behind the apex.
Habitat & Range
The mask limpet attaches to rocks and other hard surfaces; it shelters under rocks and ledges and in deep cracks and crevices during the day, and emerges at night to range more widely across the intertidal zone. It is found from the Aleutian Islands to Mexico, though it is not as common south of Monterey, California.
Similar Species
The plate limpet (Tectorum scutum) has a a similar appearance, but is lower and flatter.
Intriguing Info
Oystercatchers and crows prey on this species. It does not show an escape response in the presence of sea stars.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/339143-Lottia-persona
References
Cowles, D. (2005). Tectura persona (Rathke, 1833). Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 28/01/2014.
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 106.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2014).
Cowles, D. (2005). Tectura persona (Rathke, 1833). Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 28/01/2014.
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 106.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwell and Brian Starzomski (2014).