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Snail, Green-Banded Black Top-Shell (Diloma zelandicum)

Diloma zelandicum

Snail-Top , Black (Diloma zealandica)

Invertebrate

Mollusca

Gastropoda

Trochidae

Rocky Shore Intertidal
Rocky Shore Intertidal

Feeding:
Grazer Feeder
Grazer Feeder
Distribution:
New Zealand
New Zealand
Edibility:
Unknown Edibility
Unknown Edibility
Size:
Coin Sized
Coin Sized



A solid globular shell with a blunt spire and sculptured with fine spiral ridges. It has a greensih black exterior, with a green lip and yellow flecks on the body whorl (especially on young animals). The interior is dull white, and there can be a prominant basal tooth in the aperture of adult shells.


Common in Northern NZ under boulders on semi exposed to sheltered rocky shores. Commonly found with other Diloma spp.


It feeds on the microalagal films which cover the surfaces of rocks and on seaweed.







NZ Coastal Marine Invertebrates; Vol 1
Photo Credit: Rod Morris. Photos available from www.rodmorris.co.nz