Calliostoma blacki facts for kids

Calliostoma blacki, also known as Black's maurea, is a type of sea snail. It's a medium-sized mollusc that lives in the ocean. This snail belongs to a group called gastropods, which includes all snails and slugs. It is part of the family Calliostomatidae, often called "top snails" because of their shell shape.

Sometimes, scientists place this snail in a special subgroup called Calliostoma (Maurea).

Discovering Black's Maurea

Calliostoma blacki was first officially described in 1950. The scientist who named it was Arthur William Baden Powell. He was an important researcher who studied many different types of molluscs.

What is a Gastropod?

Gastropods are a huge group of animals. They are part of the mollusc family, which also includes clams and octopuses. Gastropods are special because most of them have a single, spiral shell. They move around on a muscular "foot." Snails, slugs, and limpets are all examples of gastropods.

The Calliostomatidae Family

The Calliostomatidae family is known for its beautiful, cone-shaped shells. These shells often have a pearly inside. Many snails in this family live in deep ocean waters. They are usually found on rocky seabeds.

What Does Black's Maurea Look Like?

The shell of Calliostoma blacki can vary in size. It usually measures between 30 mm (about 1.2 inches) and 60 mm (about 2.4 inches) tall. This makes it a medium-sized sea snail. Like other top snails, its shell likely has a conical or pyramid shape.

Where Does Black's Maurea Live?

This marine species lives in the ocean waters off the coast of New Zealand. It prefers marine environments, meaning it lives in saltwater.

See also

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• In Spanish: Calliostoma blacki para niños