Poirieria zelandica facts for kids
Poirieria zelandica, also known as the spiny murex, is a fascinating type of large sea snail. It is a predatory mollusc, meaning it hunts and eats other animals. This snail lives in the ocean and has a special lid called an operculum that can close its shell opening. It belongs to the Muricidae family, which are often called rock snails or murex snails.
Quick facts for kids Poirieria zelandica |
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| Shell of Poirieria zelandica from New Zealand, on display at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
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clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda clade Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: |
Muricoidea
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| Family: |
Muricidae
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| Genus: |
Poirieria
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| Species: |
P. zelandica
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| Binomial name | |
| Poirieria zelandica (Quoy & Gaimard,1833)
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Contents
What Does the Spiny Murex Look Like?
The shell of the spiny murex is quite unique. It can grow to be about 35 to 65 millimeters long. That's roughly the size of a small candy bar!
These shells have a shape that is somewhat like a spindle. They are covered with long, straight spines, which give the snail its "spiny" name. The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is oval-shaped and quite large. The edge of this opening, known as the outer lip, is thin.
Where Does the Spiny Murex Live?
You can find the Poirieria zelandica in the waters around Tasmania. It also lives near the coasts of New Zealand. These snails prefer marine environments, meaning they live in the ocean.
Images for kids
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A spiny murex shell found in shallow water, showing its anterior canal.
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A closer look at the spiny murex shell.
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See also
In Spanish: Poirieria zelandica para niños
