Xanthodaphne membranacea facts for kids
Xanthodaphne membranacea is a type of sea snail. It's a small mollusk that lives in the ocean, belonging to a group called gastropods. This particular snail is part of the Raphitomidae family.
Quick facts for kids Xanthodaphne membranacea |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Shell of Xanthodaphne membranacea (specimen at Natural History Museum, London) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Pleurotoma (Thesbia) membranacea Watson, 1886 |
Contents
Discovering the Xanthodaphne membranacea
This interesting sea snail was first described by a scientist named Watson in 1886. It was given the scientific name Xanthodaphne membranacea.
What Does It Look Like?
The Xanthodaphne membranacea snail has a shell that can grow up to 22 millimeters (about 0.8 inches) long. Its widest part, or diameter, is around 13 millimeters (about 0.5 inches).
Shell Features
The shell of this snail is broad and short. It's also very thin, almost like a membrane. It has a short, pointed top part called a spire. This spire is made up of a few rounded sections, known as whorls, which are separated by a small line called a suture.
The shell's surface feels smooth. It has faint spiral lines all over it. The main color of the shell is white. However, it's covered by a thin, smooth, brownish-yellow outer layer called an epidermis. Because the shell is so thin, it can look a bit see-through!
The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is wide. The outer edge of this opening, known as the lip, is very thin. Near the top of the opening, there's a deep, wide curve called a sinus.
Where Does It Live?
This sea snail lives only in one specific area. It is found off the coast of North Island in New Zealand. When an animal or plant lives only in one place, it is called endemic to that area.
