Trochus viridis
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| Trochus viridis Gmelin, 1791 |
Trochus viridis is a gastropod mollusc of the family Trochidae, endemic to New Zealand, common on brown seaweed at low tide.
The shell is solid and conical, with a flat base and a rather wide false-umbilicus. Sculpture is of spire-whorls consisting of four or five spiral rows of strong rounded nodules. The base is spirally lirate, the lirae increasing in strength towards the false-umbilicus, which is smooth, apart from three or four spiral ribs.
Trochus viridis is usually found with Micrelenchus dilatatus and Thoristella oppressa, but is less common than these species.
Coloration is greenish-grey, or dull purplish above, and the base is yellowish or greenish grey. The interior is iridescent.
Height is up to 25 mm, and width 30 mm.
[edit] References
- Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
- Miller M & Batt G, Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand, William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1973
