Neoguraleus protensus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neoguraleus protensus |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Shell of Neoguraleus protensus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
† Daphnella protensa Hutton, 1885 |
The Neoguraleus protensus was a type of sea snail that lived in the ocean a long time ago. It is now an extinct species, meaning it no longer exists. This snail belonged to a group of sea creatures called gastropods, which are a kind of mollusk. It was part of the family known as Mangeliidae.
Contents
What Neoguraleus protensus Looked Like
This ancient sea snail had a unique shell. Scientists have studied a few of these shells to understand how they looked.
Shell Features
The shells of Neoguraleus protensus had special patterns on them. These patterns are called sculpture. The main patterns were spiral lines that went around the shell. There were also some faint lines going up and down.
Detailed Shell Patterns
Normally, these snails had very fine spiral threads. But some shells had clearer, thicker lines, almost like cords. These cords were crossed by wavy lines that ran lengthwise. Only the top parts of the shell's whorls (the turns of the spiral) had a distinct criss-cross pattern.
The Baby Shell (Protoconch)
The very first part of the snail's shell, called the protoconch, was quite special. This tiny part formed when the snail was a baby. It had two smooth turns. In Neoguraleus protensus, this baby shell was larger than in some other fossil snails. It was also more rounded, like a bulb, and had a slightly slanted tip.
Where Neoguraleus protensus Lived
This sea snail lived only in one specific place. It was found in New Zealand.
Ancient Home
The Neoguraleus protensus lived in the ocean waters around New Zealand. It is considered endemic to this area, meaning it was found nowhere else in the world.
When It Lived
Scientists found fossils of this snail in rock layers from the Pliocene epoch. This means the Neoguraleus protensus lived millions of years ago, during a time period that ended about 2.5 million years ago. The fossils were discovered in a place called Petane in New Zealand.
