Coluzea mariae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coluzea mariae |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Shell of Coluzea mariae (specimen at the Auckland War Memorial Museum) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda clade Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: |
Turbinelloidea
|
| Family: |
Columbariidae
|
| Genus: |
Coluzea
|
| Species: |
C. mariae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Coluzea mariae Powell, 1952
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Columbella mariae (Powell, 1952) |
|
Coluzea mariae is a special type of deep-sea snail. It's known as a pagoda shell because its shell looks a bit like a pagoda tower. This fascinating creature is a marine (ocean-dwelling) gastropod mollusc. It belongs to the family called Columbariidae, which includes other pagoda shells.
What is a Pagoda Shell?
Pagoda shells are a group of sea snails with unique, often tall and spiraled shells. These shells can have ridges or spines, making them look quite decorative. They are named after pagodas, which are multi-layered towers found in many Asian countries.
Where Does Coluzea mariae Live?
This particular species, Coluzea mariae, lives in the deep waters around New Zealand. Deepwater means it lives far below the ocean surface, where it's dark and cold. Life in the deep sea is very different from life closer to the shore!
Deep-Sea Snails
Deep-sea snails like Coluzea mariae are amazing because they have adapted to live in extreme conditions. The deep ocean has high pressure, very little light, and cold temperatures. Scientists are still learning a lot about these mysterious creatures and how they survive in such a challenging environment.
