Fairfield

Taxonomy

Trivia in the United Kingdom

There appear to be two species of trivia which can be found in the UK.

Trivia monacha can be found over a wide geograpichic area from the Mediterranean, Portugal, France, Channel Islands and the United Kingdom.

Trivia arctica is supposed to be found at higher latitudes including Scotland and Scandanavia.

Clearly both should be found in the UK and it would be interesting to map out the occurrence of each species. Unfortunately I am not sure I am able to differentiate between the two! Alternatively, I have never found a trivia arctica if it really looks like the image below. I have my doubts about some of the identifications I have seen but I have not the advantage of seeing either animal alive!

Any suggestions?

Trivia arctica Solander In Humphrey, 1797 to 10 mm		Trivia monacha Costa, Da, 1778 European Cowrie 8 - 12 mm Mediterranean - British Isles
Taxonomic Information		Taxonomic Information
Class	GASTROPODA PROSOBRANCHIA	Class	GASTROPODA PROSOBRANCHIA
Order	CAENOGASTROPODA - NEOTAENIOGLOSSA	Order	CAENOGASTROPODA -NEOTAENIOGLOSSA
SuperFamily	LAMELLARIOIDEA	SuperFamily	LAMELLARIOIDEA
Family	TRIVIIDAE	Family	TRIVIIDAE
Page/Plate	European Seashells 255/20-21	Page/Plate	Shell Encyclopedia 93 Hamlyn Guide to Shells of the World 124 Spotters Guide to Shells 34 European Seashells 255/22-23
Image Acknowledgments	1 Guido Poppe	Image Acknowledgments	1 Eddie Hardy 2 Malacologia reggina

---