Tegula gallina

Speckled Tegula

Family: Tegulidae · Class: Gastropoda · Order: Trochida

The speckled tegula (Tegula gallina) is a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Tegulidae, commonly found along the Pacific coast. This small to medium-sized sea snail typically measures 15-25 mm (0.6-1.0 inches) in shell diameter. The shell displays a characteristic speckled or mottled pattern with brown, gray, and white coloration that gives the species its common name. The shell is conical in shape with a moderately elevated spire and exhibits spiral ridges and fine growth lines. Speckled tegula occur along the Pacific coast from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja California, Mexico. In California, the species is distributed along the entire coastline, inhabiting rocky intertidal zones and shallow subtidal areas. The species has been documented in various coastal surveys, including those conducted in Ballona Wetlands and throughout central and northern California's exposed rocky shores. This species inhabits rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal environments, typically found on hard substrates including natural rock surfaces and artificial structures. Speckled tegula are commonly associated with kelp forest ecosystems, where they occur alongside other Tegula species such as T. funebralis (black tegula) and T. brunnea (brown tegula). They are frequently found in tidal pools, on rocky platforms, and among mussel beds and barnacle colonies. The species demonstrates tolerance for wave exposure and can be found from the low intertidal zone to depths of approximately 20 meters (66 feet). Speckled tegula are herbivorous grazers that feed primarily on algae, including both microscopic films and larger macroalgae. They use their radula, a specialized feeding structure, to scrape algae from rock surfaces. The species plays an important ecological role as a grazer in kelp forest and rocky intertidal communities, helping to control algal growth and maintain habitat structure. Reproduction involves external fertilization, with females releasing eggs into the water column where they develop into planktonic larvae before settling and metamorphosing into juvenile snails. The species exhibits seasonal reproductive cycles, typically spawning during warmer months. Currently, Tegula gallina does not appear to have formal federal or state conservation listing status in California as of December 2025. However, like many intertidal species, speckled tegula populations may face pressure from coastal development, water quality degradation, and climate change impacts including ocean acidification and warming temperatures. The species is included in various rocky intertidal monitoring protocols used by multiple agencies to track population trends and ecosystem health. These monitoring efforts help assess the status of intertidal communities and inform marine protected area management decisions. The species serves as an indicator organism for rocky intertidal ecosystem health due to its sensitivity to environmental changes and its important role in these communities.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, and more.