Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Gastropoda

Subclass: Prosobranchia

Infraclass: Caenogastropoda

Order: Mesogastropoda

Family: Aporrhaiidae

Scientific name: Aporrhais pespelecani

 

Norwegian: pelikanfotsnegl

(Korsvika - The Trondheim fjord / 21 meters / 6.01.2005)

Distribution: Common along the entire Norwegian coast, as far north as western Finnmark. It can be found on any depth from just below the tidal zone and down to 1000 meters.

Characteristics: The common Pelican's foot can only be confused with the less common A. serresianus. The shell opening (aperture) is dominated by an extended lip, shaped like the webbed foot of a bird. The lip of A. serresianus extends past the tip of the spire (apex), while the lip of A. pespelecani only reach half way. The shell is sand colored on the outside and pearly white on the inside. It can reach a length of 4.5 cm. The body is white with yellow blotches.

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