Melanochlamys cylindrica | |
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In Pahurehure Inlet near Auckland | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
Order: | Cephalaspidea |
Family: | Aglajidae |
Genus: | Melanochlamys |
Species: | M. cylindrica
|
Binomial name | |
Melanochlamys cylindrica
Thomas Cheeseman, 1881
[1]
|
Melanochlamys cylindrica is a species of bubble snail in the family Aglajidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. [2]
M. cylindrica is found on the coast of New Zealand's North and South Islands. It is absent from the Three Kings Islands/Manawatāwhi due to a lack of suitable habitat. [3]
Adults are between 15 and 25 mm in length but may reach a maximum size of 30 mm. [3] Body is long and cylindrical in shape with a uniformly black colour that may feature an iridescent blue sheen. [4] The head shield is rounded with an indentation that may resemble two 'tails'. [3] The parapodia are small and held tightly against sides of body. [3] A large muscular mouth part (known as the buccal bulb) is contained in the anterior half of the body cavity. [4]
This species has a smaller than usual internal shell that is 6 mm long and 5 mm wide. The shell is ear-shaped without formed whorls. It is heavily calcified and contained within the posterior part of the body. [5] [6]
M. cylindrica is most commonly found in the mid- intertidal zone in algal turf and on rock platforms. [4] It may also be found down in shallow sub-tidal area. [3]
It feeds on polychaete worms including bristle worms and round worms by "rapidly sucking them in like a piece of spaghetti" which are then broken apart by a muscular gizzard. [3] [4]
Melanochlamys cylindrica | |
---|---|
![]() | |
In Pahurehure Inlet near Auckland | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
Order: | Cephalaspidea |
Family: | Aglajidae |
Genus: | Melanochlamys |
Species: | M. cylindrica
|
Binomial name | |
Melanochlamys cylindrica
Thomas Cheeseman, 1881
[1]
|
Melanochlamys cylindrica is a species of bubble snail in the family Aglajidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. [2]
M. cylindrica is found on the coast of New Zealand's North and South Islands. It is absent from the Three Kings Islands/Manawatāwhi due to a lack of suitable habitat. [3]
Adults are between 15 and 25 mm in length but may reach a maximum size of 30 mm. [3] Body is long and cylindrical in shape with a uniformly black colour that may feature an iridescent blue sheen. [4] The head shield is rounded with an indentation that may resemble two 'tails'. [3] The parapodia are small and held tightly against sides of body. [3] A large muscular mouth part (known as the buccal bulb) is contained in the anterior half of the body cavity. [4]
This species has a smaller than usual internal shell that is 6 mm long and 5 mm wide. The shell is ear-shaped without formed whorls. It is heavily calcified and contained within the posterior part of the body. [5] [6]
M. cylindrica is most commonly found in the mid- intertidal zone in algal turf and on rock platforms. [4] It may also be found down in shallow sub-tidal area. [3]
It feeds on polychaete worms including bristle worms and round worms by "rapidly sucking them in like a piece of spaghetti" which are then broken apart by a muscular gizzard. [3] [4]