Siphonaria zelandica

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Siphonaria zelandica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Orthogastropoda
Superorder: Heterobranchia
Order: Pulmonata
Family: Siphonariidae
Genus: Siphonaria
Species: S. zelandica
Binomial name
Siphonaria zelandica
Quoy & Gaimard, 1833

Siphonaria zelandica is a species of medium-sized air-breathing sea snail or false limpet, a marine pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Siphonariidae, the false limpets.

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[edit] Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found throughout New Zealand including Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, and the Snares Islands.

[edit] Habitat

This snail lives at and above mid-tide level on rocks in most situations.

[edit] Shell description

The shell is variable in shape and in height. Compared with Siphonaria australis it is darker in colour, and has much stronger radial ribs. The shell coloration is light brownish externally, and internally it is almost completely chestnut-brown, the central area yellowish with dark brown patches. The margin is tipped with white at the points of the radials.

The shell length is up to 27 mm, width up to 21.5 mm, and height up to 9 mm.

[edit] References