Xanthodaphne xanthias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Xanthodaphne xanthias |
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| A picture of the Xanthodaphne xanthias shell and its early whorls. | |
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Pleurotoma (Thesbia) xanthias Watson, 1886 |
Xanthodaphne xanthias is a type of sea snail. It's a small mollusk that lives in the ocean. This snail belongs to a group called gastropods. It is part of the family named Raphitomidae.
Contents
About the Snail's Shell
The shell of the Xanthodaphne xanthias can grow up to 19 millimeters (about 0.75 inches) long. It is about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) wide.
Shell Shape and Color
The shell has an oval shape. It is wider in the middle and tapers at both ends. The top part, called the spire, is tall and shaped like a cone. The bottom part is long and pointed. The shell's surface feels smooth. It has faint spiral patterns and is white in color.
Shell Patterns and Markings
If you look closely, you can see very fine, hair-like lines on the shell. These are growth lines. They show how the snail grew over time. There is also a slightly raised ridge in the middle of each whorl (or turn) of the shell. Below this ridge, the shell has flat lines that run in spirals. The part of the shell above the ridge is smooth.
Inside the Shell
The very first part of the shell, called the protoconch, has about three turns. These early turns are yellow. They have tiny, raised lines that are straight at the top. These lines then slant to the left further down. The main part of the shell has about four and a half turns. These turns are slightly angled in the middle.
The largest part of the shell is called the body whorl. It is wide and extends into a broad, pointed snout. The line where the shell turns meet, called the suture, is very thin but clear.
Shell Opening and Lip
The opening of the shell is called the aperture. It is narrow and oblong. The top of the opening is pointed. The outer lip of the shell is thin and curved. It has a deep, wide notch right at the top. Below this notch, the edge of the lip curves forward. The inner lip has a thin, shiny layer. The central pillar of the shell, the columella, is long and slants to the left.
Where This Snail Lives
This sea snail lives only in New Zealand. It can be found off the coast of North Island.
