Micrelenchus dilatatus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Micrelenchus dilatatus | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||||
| Micrelenchus dilatatus (Sowerby, 1870) |
Micrelenchus dilatatus is a species of small sea snail which has a shell with a pearly interior. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Trochidae, the top snails or top shells.
Contents |
[edit] Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand.
[edit] Habitat
This top snail is common in clean water coastal situations, on brown seaweed at low tide.
[edit] Shell description
The shell is solid and smooth, except for weak incised spiral lines, and has a large dilated aperture.
The shell coloration is variable: pinkish to dark greenish-brown, but mostly russet-brown, with pale whitish small flecks. The interior of the aperture is deep green to violet, and iridescent.
The shell height is up to 11 mm, and the width is up to 8 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
