Description: Xandarovula patula is a small carnivorous gastropod, reaching a maximum of 2 cm long and less than 1 cm wide. It has a glossy, thin, oval-shaped shell, which is usually coloured white, pale yellow or pale pink. The body is yellow, occasionally with brown streaks, and the mantle is white to yellow, striped with orange brown to black. The mantle usually completely covers the shell whilst the animal is active, and the mantle edge forms an inhalant siphon. There are two white tentacles with brown tips on its head, and at the base of each tentacle an eye may be visible.

Habitat: Subtidally, from 10 – 75 m. Usually found on or near Alcyonium digitatum on which it feeds and lays its eggs.

Distribution: Recorded around Britain and Ireland, but seemingly absent or rare on Irish Sea coasts and the eastern coast of Britain.

Similar Species: Could potentially be confused with Trivia spp. or Erato voluta. Erato voluta has a dark coloured mantle, while in Xandarovula patula this is white striped with orange-brown.

Key Identification Features:

• Glossy, thin, oval-shaped shell.
• Yellow body (sometimes with brown markings).
• White to yellow mantle with orange brown to black striping.
• Two white head tentacles with brown tips, and an eye at the base.

Distribution Map from NBN: Xandarovula patula at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Xandarovula patula at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Xandarovula patula

WoRMS: Xandarovula patula at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Xandarovula patula (Pennant, 1777). AphiaID: 224890.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Caenogastropoda; Littorinimorpha; Cypraeoidea; Ovulidae; Simniinae; Xandarovula