Maoricolpus roseus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maoricolpus roseus |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Sorbeoconcha |
| Superfamily: |
Cerithioidea
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| Family: |
Turritellidae
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| Subfamily: |
Turritellinae
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| Genus: |
Maoricolpus
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| Species: |
M. roseus
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| Binomial name | |
| Maoricolpus roseus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1834)
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| Synonyms | |
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Turritella difficilis Suter, 1908 |
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Maoricolpus roseus is a type of sea snail that lives in the ocean. It is a mollusc, which is a group of animals with soft bodies, often protected by a shell. This particular snail belongs to the Gastropoda class, meaning it's a gastropod, like other snails and slugs. You can only find Maoricolpus roseus living in the waters around New Zealand.
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What is Maoricolpus roseus?
This sea snail is known for its tall, spiral shell. The shell often has a pretty, rosy color, which is why it's called "roseus." It was first described by scientists Quoy and Gaimard in 1834.
Where Does This Snail Live?
Maoricolpus roseus is native to New Zealand. This means it naturally lives there and nowhere else. It prefers to live on the seabed, often in sandy or muddy areas.
Different Kinds of Maoricolpus roseus
Sometimes, animals can have slightly different forms within the same species. These are called subspecies. One subspecies of this snail has been identified: Maoricolpus roseus manukauensis. It was described by scientist Powell in 1931. This shows that even within one species, there can be small variations depending on where they live.
Life of a Sea Snail
Sea snails like Maoricolpus roseus are an important part of the ocean's ecosystem. They move slowly along the bottom, often feeding on tiny particles or algae.
How Sea Snails Grow
Like many other sea creatures, Maoricolpus roseus starts its life as a tiny larva that floats in the water. As it grows, it develops its characteristic spiral shell. The shell grows with the snail, adding new layers over time.
