Micrelenchus
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Micrelenchus is a genus of small sea snails that have shells with pearly interiors. They are marine gastropod molluscs in the family Trochidae, the top snails or top shells.
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[edit] Distribution
This genus is endemic to New Zealand.
[edit] Habitat
These snails are micro-grazers, living on brown seaweeds, under kelp holdfasts, or on Zostera flats.
[edit] Shell description
The shells of species in this genus are small. They have an unusually high spire for trochids. The shells are solidly-built with a sculpture either of incised spiral lines, or strong spiral cords.
[edit] Species
- Micrelenchus caelatus caelatus (Hutton,1884)
- Micrelenchus caelatus archibenthicola Dell,1956
- Micrelenchus caelatus bakeri Fleming,1948
- Micrelenchus caelatus elongatus (Suter,1897)
- Micrelenchus caelatus morioria Powell,1933
- Micrelenchus caelatus mortenseni (Odhner,1924)
- Micrelenchus dilatatus (Sowerby,1870)
- Micrelenchus micans (Suter,1897)
- Micrelenchus parcipictus Powell,1946
- Micrelenchus rufozonus (A.Adams,1853)
- Micrelenchus sanguineus sanguineus (Gray in Dieffenbach,1843)
- Micrelenchus sanguineus cryptus Powell,1946
- Micrelenchus tenebrosus (A.Adams,1853)
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
[edit] References
- NZ Mollusca
- 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
