Micrograzer in the upper infralittoral.
Playa Miraflores, Málaga, Andalucia, Spain. 95mm.
Previously considered as rare in Mediterranean, the species is now found in some places between Alborán and Adriatic seas.
Top: 44mm. Middle: 65mm. Bottom: 75mm.
Young shells are often darker.
M. Adanson (Histoire Naturelle du Sénégal. Coquillages. Paris, C. J-B. Bauche, 1757) describes a shell named “Libot”, in which conchologists see today the species safiana. He begins by listing some short descriptions of this species, given by various authors: « Patella subfusca, exiguis tuberculis secundum strias exasperata — Patella nigra, magna, tenuiter admodum striata, Africana — Patella major, tenuis, compressa, striata, cinerea maculis crebris e rubro fuscis variegata, vertice albo » …
Adanson’s “Libot” is then described as follows: « Shell large, quite flat, reaching 4 inches length by 3 width. Apex rounded, placed near the head, at ca. 1/3 of the total length [detail 1 below]. Exterior striated by radial grooves, alternatively strong and weak. Some of these grooves can be flanked by two minute threads [detail 2 below]. Inner surface plain, glossy, bluish to dark. Species variable (shape, height, nb. grooves, marginal denticulations). Exterior tint varies from white to ash, grey, blackish; some specimens are fawn-coloured, or reddish. Grooves stronger in flatter specimens, and less numerous than in taller shells. Common on rocky shores of Cap Vert, Gorée, Magdelaine… » – Univalves / 10. Lepas à coquille simple et entière / 1. Le Libot (p. 27 & pl.2).
Adanson’s “Libot” is then described as follows: « Shell large, quite flat, reaching 4 inches length by 3 width. Apex rounded, placed near the head, at ca. 1/3 of the total length [detail 1 below]. Exterior striated by radial grooves, alternatively strong and weak. Some of these grooves can be flanked by two minute threads [detail 2 below]. Inner surface plain, glossy, bluish to dark. Species variable (shape, height, nb. grooves, marginal denticulations). Exterior tint varies from white to ash, grey, blackish; some specimens are fawn-coloured, or reddish. Grooves stronger in flatter specimens, and less numerous than in taller shells. Common on rocky shores of Cap Vert, Gorée, Magdelaine… » – Univalves / 10. Lepas à coquille simple et entière / 1. Le Libot (p. 27 & pl.2).
In a work edited in 1771, E.M. da Costa writes about the same limpet. He follows Adanson’s description, quotes him a lot, and proposes for this shell the nomen nigra.
In his 6th vol. of the Histoire Naturelle des Animaux sans Vertèbres, Paris 1819, Lamarck describes this african limpet under the name safiana (the limpet of Safi): « Testa ovato-oblonga, convexa, submutica ; costis radiantibus, aequalibus, dorso planulatis, albis ; interstiitis fuscis ; vertice subacuto, inflexo. Inhabits the oceanic coasts of Morocco. It is of a greyish white outside, with yellow to brownishintercostal rays. Inner surface with blue shines. Ca. 4 inches. »
In his 6th vol. of the Histoire Naturelle des Animaux sans Vertèbres, Paris 1819, Lamarck describes this african limpet under the name safiana (the limpet of Safi): « Testa ovato-oblonga, convexa, submutica ; costis radiantibus, aequalibus, dorso planulatis, albis ; interstiitis fuscis ; vertice subacuto, inflexo. Inhabits the oceanic coasts of Morocco. It is of a greyish white outside, with yellow to brownishintercostal rays. Inner surface with blue shines. Ca. 4 inches. »
77mm, Safi, Morocco.
Original pictures provided by courtesy of their author:
C. Ratton, Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève.
For a history of the invalidation of da Costa’s name, see R.E. Petit: “Emanuel Mendes da Costa’s Conchology, or natural history of shells, a non-binominal work”, Conchologia ingrata vol. XIV, october 2013.
live collected on exposed rocks, at 1m deep, with seagrass and urchins, Mijas, Málaga. 50-55mm.
Middle: at low tide on rocks, Almadies, Dakar, Sénégal. 58mm.
73mm, Safi, Morocco.
Original pictures provided by courtesy of their author:
C. Ratton, Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève.
Adanson’s Libots: « Some are white, some are grey, some other are ashy or blackish: in some specimens one sees fawn or reddish grooves: in other ones, only the summit is white: this is the common lot of old shells. »
3-16ft, on rock, Pointe des Almadies. 68mm.
L.D. Kellner legit (DE).
adansonii, algira, conspicua, guineensis…
