gotlandsknagglav
Porpidinia tumidula
The gotlandsknagglav (Porpidinia tumidula) is a small, distinctive marine gastropod endemic to the Baltic Sea region, characterized by its translucent shell with prominent ridged knobs and pale blue-green coloration. This specialized mollusk plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as both a grazer of microscopic algae and biofilms, and as a key food source for various fish species and seabirds.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Lecideales
Family
Porpidiaceae
Genus
Porpidinia
gotlandsknagglav belongs to the family Porpidiaceae, order Lecideales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
The gotlandsknagglav (Porpidinia tumidula) is a small, distinctive marine gastropod endemic to the Baltic Sea region, characterized by its translucent shell with prominent ridged knobs and pale blue-green coloration. This specialized mollusk plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as both a grazer of microscopic algae and biofilms, and as a key food source for various fish species and seabirds.
Porpidinia tumidula faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from coastal development and pollution in its limited range around Gotland and the Baltic Sea region. Climate change-induced alterations to marine ecosystems and overfishing of prey species have further compromised the species' survival prospects.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits shallow coastal waters, rocky intertidal zones, and kelp forests around limestone cliffs and coastal areas of Gotland and adjacent Baltic Sea regions. Requires clean, well-oxygenated waters with abundant algae and small invertebrate prey.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Porpidinia tumidula faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from coastal development and pollution in its limited range around Gotland and the Baltic Sea region. Climate change-induced alterations to marine ecosystems and overfishing of prey species have further compromised the species' survival prospects.
Climate change impacts on marine ecosystems
Coastal habitat destruction from development
Marine pollution and eutrophication
Depletion of prey species from overfishing
Limited geographic range vulnerability
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). gotlandsknagglav (Porpidinia tumidula). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/gotlandsknagglav