Melanochlamys cylindrica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Melanochlamys cylindrica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Pahurehure Inlet near Auckland | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| 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]
Description
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]
Shell
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]
