WinkleWatch
Short description
WinkleWatch is an international citizen science project investigating why periwinkles (Littorina saxatilis) have such varied shell colours. The project is asking the public to contribute by photographing shells they find and uploading the images via the iNaturalist app. In addition to data collection, public events are organised to educate the public about evolution and scientific research.
More about the project
Periwinkles are small sea snails found across the coasts of Europe and North America. Winkles come in a rainbow of colours and patterns, but why do these little snails have so much variation in colour? We are an international group of snail scientists working hard to answer this question, but we need your help!
Lots of animals have evolved colours that match their environments. Other animals have colours that don’t seem to match their environment.Are periwinkles trying to blend in with their environment? Are they trying to stand out? Or have their colours evolved for a different reason?
Contact: Luisa Kumpitsch (luisa.kumpitsch@gu.se)
