Diloma zelandicum
Snail-Top , Black (Diloma zealandica)
Invertebrate
Mollusca
Gastropoda
Trochidae
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