a genus of gastropods of the family Littorinidae. The shell is oval-conical and measures 1.0–4.5 cm high. Littorina are typically found in the littoral zone of seas of temperate latitudes of the northern hemisphere, where they often live in large groups. These gastropods tolerate temporary removal from water well. Their life-span averages six to eight years. They feed on plant food and detritus. Littorina are used as food. Littorina saxatilis, L. obtusata, and L. littorea are found in the seas of the European USSR; L. mandshurica, L. brevicula, L. aleutica, L. sitchana, and L. squalida inhabit the seas of the Soviet Far East.