Scrinium neozelanicum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scrinium neozelanicum |
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| Original image of a shell of Scrinium neozelanicum | |
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Scrinium neozelanicum is a type of sea snail that lives in the ocean. It's a marine gastropod mollusk, which means it's part of the same animal group as clams and octopuses. This snail belongs to the family Mitromorphidae.
About the Scrinium Snail
Scrinium neozelanicum is a small snail. It was first described in 1908 by a scientist named Henry Suter. Like many snails, it has a hard shell that protects its soft body.
What Does It Look Like?
The shell of this snail is usually about 10 millimeters long, which is about the size of a small pea. It's also about 4.8 millimeters wide. The shell is strong and shaped a bit like an egg.
It has rounded bumps, called "ribs," that run down the shell. There are usually nine or ten of these ribs on the main part of the shell. The shell also has flat lines, called "lirae," that spiral around it. These lines are thin near the top and wider near the bottom.
The shell often has a mix of brown and white colors, especially below its "shoulder" or upper part. The ribs are usually white, while the spaces between them are brown. The very tip of the shell, called the protoconch, is often yellowish. The main body of the shell can be light brown.
The opening of the shell, where the snail comes out, is shaped like a long oval. It has a small, simple "siphonal canal" at the bottom. The outer edge of the opening is thin and smooth. Inside, the opening is a yellowish-brown color.
Where Does It Live?
This sea snail is endemic to New Zealand. This means it is found only in New Zealand and nowhere else in the world. You can find Scrinium neozelanicum in the waters off Northland and the Bay of Plenty regions of New Zealand.
