Liracraea epentroma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Liracraea epentroma |
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| Original image of a shell (and its protoconch) of Liracraea epentroma | |
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Liracraea epentroma is a type of small sea snail. It's a marine mollusk that belongs to the gastropod group, which means it has a single shell. This snail is part of the family called Mangeliidae.
Sometimes, animals of the same species can have slightly different groups called subspecies. Liracraea epentroma has two known subspecies:
- Liracraea epentroma subantarctica
- Liracraea epentroma whangaroaensis
Shell Description
This snail's shell is quite small, usually about 6 millimeters (mm) long and 2 mm wide. That's roughly the size of a grain of rice!
The shell has a narrow, spindle-like shape with a tall, pointed top called a spire. It can be light reddish-brown or a dull chestnut color. The shell has about 5½ whorls, which are the turns of the shell. These whorls are rounded or slightly angled near the widest part.
The shell has cool patterns called sculpture, made of fine spiral and long lines. The long lines are usually the strongest. The lines where the whorls join are quite deep.
The very first part of the shell, called the protoconch, has about 1½ tiny whorls. This part is strongly angled and has four smooth, narrow, swirling ridges. The very tip of the shell is slightly curved downwards and partly hidden in the next whorl. The main part of the shell, called the body whorl, is a bit longer than the spire.
On the body whorl, there are about fifteen to sixteen small, long ridges. These ridges can be continuous or a bit uneven. The spiral patterns are delicate, wavy ridges and threads. On the spire whorls, there are two main spiral ridges, and on the last part of the shell, there are seven or eight slightly stronger ones. These spirals often form small bumps where they cross the long ridges.
The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is of medium width and less than half the shell's total length. The outer edge of the opening, called the outer lip, is simple. There's a shallow curve at the back of the opening. The central pillar of the shell, the columella, is gently curved. The front part of the opening, called the anterior canal, is short and wide.
Habitat and Distribution
This snail is endemic to New Zealand, which means it's only found there. You can find Liracraea epentroma living in the waters from Cook Strait all the way down to Stewart Island.
