Mitromorpha paucilirata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mitromorpha paucilirata |
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| Original image of a shell of Mitromorpha paucilirata | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Conoidea |
| Family: | Mitromorphidae |
| Genus: | Mitromorpha |
| Species: |
M. paucilirata
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| Binomial name | |
| Mitromorpha paucilirata Verco, 1909
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| Synonyms | |
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Mitromorpha paucilirata is a type of sea snail. It is a marine gastropod mollusk that belongs to the family Mitromorphidae.
What Does It Look Like?
The shell of Mitromorpha paucilirata is quite small. It usually grows to about 4 millimeters (which is less than half a centimeter) in length. Its width is around 1.7 millimeters.
The shell has an oval shape that is longer than it is wide. It is made up of 5 whorls, which are like the turns or spirals of the shell. The very first part of the shell, called the protoconch, has two of these turns. This tiny tip looks smooth, but if you look closely with a microscope, you can see tiny dots. These dots are made by many small lines that go in spirals and also straight up and down.
The shell's opening, called the aperture, is narrow and oval-shaped. The outer lip (the edge of the opening) is thin. It has a slight curve or "sinus" near the top. The inner lip has a smooth, shiny layer. This layer is thicker on the columella, which is the central pillar inside the shell.
The shell has many spiral lines. There are four spirals on the first main turn, five on the second, and seventeen on the largest part of the shell (the body whorl). These spirals are usually opaque white. They often have tiny brown spots that are spaced out. Sometimes, you might see rows of brown blotches on each turn of the shell. These blotches can run all the way around the body whorl.
Where Does It Live?
This sea snail lives only in Australia. It is found off the coast of South Australia.
