MolluscaBase - Crepidula fornicata (Linnaeus, 1758)

WoRMS taxon details

Crepidula fornicata (Linnaeus, 1758)

AphiaID

138963 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:138963)

Classification

Status

accepted

Rank

Species

Parent

Crepidula Lamarck, 1799

Original name

Patella fornicata Linnaeus, 1758

Synonymised names

Crepidula densata Conrad, 1843 · unaccepted (synonym)

Crepidula virginica Conrad, 1870 † · unaccepted

Crypta fornicata (Linnaeus, 1758) · unaccepted > superseded combination

Crypta nautarum Mörch, 1877 · unaccepted

Patella fornicata Linnaeus, 1758 · unaccepted (original combination)

Direct children (2)

Ordering

Alphabetically
By status

Children Display

direct main ranks all

Variety Crepidula fornicata var. cruzana Nowell-Usticke, 1959 accepted as Crepidula cruzana Nowell-Usticke, 1959 (unaccepted > superseded combination, invalid: infrasubspecific name. Validated as Crepidula cruzana by Nowell-Usticke in 1971)
Variety Crepidula fornicata var. garnot Dautzenberg, 1891 accepted as Crepidula porcellana Lamarck, 1801 (synonym)

Environment

marine

Original description

(of Patella fornicata Linnaeus, 1758) Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm]. 1(10) [iii], 824 p., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886
page(s): 658 [details] Available for editors

[request]

Descriptive notes

Distribution Established in Puget Sound, Washington, and Tomales Bay, and San Francisco Bay, California. May occasionally occur in...

Distribution Established in Puget Sound, Washington, and Tomales Bay, and San Francisco Bay, California. May occasionally occur in central California and Oregon. Intertidal to 60 m. [details]

Distribution In the older fauna lists (e.g. De Malzine (1867), Colbeau (1868), Pelseneer (1881b), Maitland (1897) and Vonck (1933)) ...

Distribution In the older fauna lists (e.g. De Malzine (1867), Colbeau (1868), Pelseneer (1881b), Maitland (1897) and Vonck (1933)) Crepidula fornicata is absent, contrary to nowadays. This species was introduced only in the thirties

For a discussion on the way of distribution and introduction see: Adam, W.; Leloup, E. (1934). Sur la présence du gastéropode Crepidula fornicata (Linné, 1758) sur la côte belge. [Occurrence of the gastropod Crepidula fornicata (Linné, 1758) at the Belgian coast.] Bull. Mus. royal d'Hist. Nat. Belg./Med. Kon. Natuurhist. Mus. Belg. 10(45): 1-6. [details]

Taxonomic citation

MolluscaBase eds. (2025). MolluscaBase. Crepidula fornicata (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138963 on 2025-07-05

Taxonomic edit history

Date

action

2004-12-21 15:54:05Z

created

Gofas, Serge

Licensing

The webpage text is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License

[taxonomic tree]

Nomenclature

original description (of Patella fornicata Linnaeus, 1758) Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm]. 1(10) [iii], 824 p., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886
page(s): 658 [details] Available for editors

[request]

original description (of Crepidula virginica Conrad, 1870 †) Conrad, T. A. (1870). Notes on Recent and fossil shells, with descriptions of new species. American Journal of Conchology. 6(1): 71-78., available online at http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15853894
page(s): 78 [details]

original description (of Crepidula densata Conrad, 1843) Conrad, T. A. (1843). Descriptions of a new genus, and of twenty-nine new Miocene, and one Eocene fossil shells of the United States. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 1(30-31): 305-311., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/26286360
page(s): 311 [details]

original description (of Crypta nautarum Mörch, 1877) Mörch [Mørch], O. A. L. (1877). Synopsis molluscorum marinorum Indiarum occidentalium imprimis Insularum danicarum. Malakozoologische Blätter. 24: 14-66, 93-123., available online at http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15854685
page(s): 103-104; note: name credited to Humphrey (1797) [details]

Ecology

ecology source Looby, A.; Erbe, C.; Bravo, S.; Cox, K.; Davies, H. L.; Di Iorio, L.; Jézéquel, Y.; Juanes, F.; Martin, C. W.; Mooney, T. A.; Radford, C.; Reynolds, L. K.; Rice, A. N.; Riera, A.; Rountree, R.; Spriel, B.; Stanley, J.; Vela, S.; Parsons, M. J. G. (2023). Global inventory of species categorized by known underwater sonifery. Scientific Data. 10(1). (look up in IMIS), available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02745-4 [details]

ecology source Richard J., Huet M., Thouzeau G. & Paulet Y.-M. (2006). Reproduction of the invasive slipper limpet, Crepidula fornicata, in the Bay of Brest, France. Marine Biology. 149(4): 789-801., available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-005-0157-4 [details]

Other

context source (Introduced species) Katsanevakis, S.; Bogucarskis, K.; Gatto, F.; Vandekerkhove, J.; Deriu, I.; Cardoso A.S. (2012). Building the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN): a novel approach for the exploration of distributed alien species data. BioInvasions Records. 1: 235-245., available online at http://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu [details] Available for editors

[request]

context source (Schelde) Maris, T., O. Beauchard, S. Van Damme, E. Van den Bergh, S. Wijnhoven & P. Meire. (2013). Referentiematrices en Ecotoopoppervlaktes Annex bij de Evaluatiemethodiek Schelde-estuarium Studie naar “Ecotoopoppervlaktes en intactness index”. [Reference matrices and Ecotope areas Annex to the Evaluation methodology Scheldt estuary Study on “Ecotope areas and intactness index”. Monitor Taskforce Publication Series, 2013-01. NIOZ: Yerseke. 35 pp. (look up in IMIS) [details]

additional source Hoagland, K. E. (1979). The behavior of three sympatic species of Crepidula (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) from the Atlantic, with implications for evolutionary ecology. The Nautilus. 93(4): 143-149, figs. 1-2., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8275205 [details]

additional source Abbott, R. T. (1974). American seashells. The marine Mollusca of the Atlantic and Pacific coast of North America. ed. 2. Van Nostrand, New York. 663 pp., 24 pls. [October 1974]. (look up in IMIS) [details]

additional source Mansfield, W. C. (1930). Miocene gastropods and scaphopods of the Choctawhatchee Formation of Florida. Florida State Geological Survey, Bulletin. 3: 1-185, 21 pls., available online at https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000437/00001
page(s): 116-118 [details]

additional source Hoagland, K.E. 1977. Systematic review of fossil and recent Crepidula and discussion of the evolution of the Calyptraeidae. Malacologia, 16(2): 353-420., available online at http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13131436 [details]

additional source McNeill, G.; Nunn, J.; Minchin, D. (2010). The slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata Linnaeus, 1758 becomes established in Ireland. Aquatic Invasions 5(Suppl. 1): S21-S25., available online at http://www.aquaticinvasions.net/2010/Supplement/AI_2010_5_S1_McNeill_etal.pdf [details]

additional source Blanchard, M. (1997). Spread of the slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata (L. 1758) in Europe. Current state and consequences. Scientia Marina. 61 (Sup 2): 109-118. [details] Available for editors

[request]

additional source Maury, C. J. (1925). A further contribution to the paleontology of Trinidad (Miocene Horizons). Bulletins of American Paleontology. 10(42): 153-402, pls. 1-43., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/32509152
page(s): 396 [details]

additional source Collin, R. (1995). Sex, size, and position: A test of models predicting size at sex change in the protandrous gastropod Crepidula fornicata. American Naturalist. 146(6): 815-831., available online at http://www.stri.si.edu/sites/publications/PDFs/Collin_AmNat.pdf [details]

additional source Rawlings, T. A.; Aker, J. M.; Brunel, P. (2011). Clarifying the Northern Distributional Limits of the Slipper Limpet Crepidula fornicata in the Northwestern Atlantic. American Malacological Bulletin. 29(1-2): 105-119., available online at https://doi.org/10.4003/006.029.0202 [details] Available for editors

[request]

additional source Adams, C. B. (1839). Observations on some species of the marine shells of Massachusetts, with descriptions of five new species. Boston Journal of Natural History. 2: 262-288, pl. 4., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/32266920
page(s): 278-279 [details]

additional source Collin R. (2019). Calyptraeidae from the northeast Pacific (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda). Zoosymposia. 13: 107-130., available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zoosymposia.13.1.12
page(s): 117, figs 1C, 4C [details]

additional source Stearns, R. E. C. (1897). Quarter-jacks and jingles. The Nautilus. 11(4): 38-40., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/1774612 [details]

additional source Winkley, H. W. (1892). A few additional notes on Crepidula. The Nautilus. 6(6): 63., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42789015 [details]

additional source Johnson, C. W. (1926). The abundance of Crepidula fornicata L. at Nantucket, Mass. The Nautilus. 40(2): 68., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8523201 [details]

additional source Orton, J. H. (1927). Is the American slipper-limpet (Crepidula fornicata) an oyster pest?. The Nautilus. 40(3): 102-103., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/8523237 [details]

Present

Present in aphia/obis/gbif/idigbio

Inaccurate

Introduced: alien

Containing type locality

From editor or global species database

Distribution Established in Puget Sound, Washington, and Tomales Bay, and San Francisco Bay, California. May occasionally occur in central California and Oregon. Intertidal to 60 m. [details]

From regional or thematic species database

Introduced species abundance in Ireland (Nation) : Rare [details]

Introduced species abundance in United Kingdom part of the Celtic Sea (Marine Region) : Common [details]

Introduced species abundance in United Kingdom part of the English Channel (Marine Region) : Common [details]

Introduced species abundance in United Kingdom part of the North Sea (Marine Region) : Common [details]

Introduced species impact in Celtic Sea (IHO Sea Area) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Denmark (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in France (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Germany (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Greece (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Ireland (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Irish part of the Irish Sea and St. George's Channel (Marine Region) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in United Kingdom (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Norway (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Spain (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Belgian part of the North Sea : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in France (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in North Atlantic Ocean (IHO Sea Area) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in Norway (Nation) : Other impact - undefined or uncertain [details]

Introduced species impact in United Kingdom part of the Celtic Sea (Marine Region) : Outcompetes native species for resources and/or space [details]

Introduced species impact in United Kingdom part of the North Sea (Marine Region) : Water abstraction or nuisance fouling [details]

Introduced species remark In Maltese part of the Mediterranean Sea - Eastern Basin (Marine Region) : Casual visitor to marine waters off Malta [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in Belgian part of the North Sea: Ships: accidental with ballast water, sea water systems, live wells or other deck basins [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal United States part of the North Pacific Ocean (Marine Region) Aquaculture: deliberate [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in Norway (Nation) : Ships: accidental as attached or free-living fouling organisms [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in Spain (Nation) : Debris: transport of species on human generated debris [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in Norway (Nation) : Fisheries: accidental with deliberate translocations of fish or shellfish [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in United Kingdom part of the North Sea (Marine Region) : Fisheries: accidental with deliberate translocations of fish or shellfish [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in Maltese part of the Mediterranean Sea - Eastern Basin (Marine Region) : Fisheries: accidental with deliberate translocations of fish or shellfish [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in Belgian part of the North Sea: Aquaculture: accidental [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in Belgian part of the North Sea: Ships: accidental with ballast water, sea water systems, live wells or other deck basins [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal Greek part of the Aegean Sea (Marine Region) Aquaculture: accidental [details]

Introduced species vector dispersal in United Kingdom (Nation) : Shipping [details]

Unreviewed

Alien species The common Atlantic slipper snail or slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata originates from the east coast of North-America. The species was however brought to Europe together with the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. In Belgium, the first slipper limpet was found on 28 September 1911 attached to an oyster in Ostend and since the 1930’s, it is seen as a common species along the Belgian coast. The slipper limpet has little to no predators here, and can thrive on several types of hard bottoms and shellfish banks. A continued expansion to the north is probably inhibited by temperature: low temperatures during the winter can slow down or inhibit the development of the slipper limpet. [details]

Dimensions maximum size of 20 to 50 mm [details]

Habitat infralittoral and circalittoral of the Gulf and estuary [details]

Definitions

Language	Name
Danish	tøffelsnegl	[details]
Dutch	slippertjeslippermuiltjegewoon muiltjeAmerikaans muiltje	[details]
English	slipper shellslipper limpetoyster-pestcommon Atlantic slippersnailAmerican slipper-limpetAmerican slipper limpet	[details]
French	crépidule pontéecrépiduleberlingot de mer	[details]
German	PorzellanpantoffelPantoffelschneckeAmerikanische Pantoffelschnecke	[details]
Swedish	ostronpest	[details]