Poirieria zelandica, common name the spiny murex, is a species of large predatory sea snail with an operculum. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Muricidae, the rock snails or murex snails.[1]
| Poirieria zelandica | |
|---|---|
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| Shell of Poirieria zelandica from New Zealand, on display at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Muricidae |
| Genus: | Poirieria |
| Species: | P. zelandica
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| Binomial name | |
| Poirieria zelandica | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description edit
Shells of Poirieria zelandica can reach a size of 35–65 millimetres (1.4–2.6 in).[2] These shells are roughly fusiforms, with long, straight spines. The aperture is ovate and large. The outer lip is thin.[3]
Distribution edit
This species can be found in Tasmania and New Zealand.[2][4]
Gallery edit
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A shallow water, beachworn example of Poirieria zelandicus illustrating an anterior canal still visible from the previous growth stage -
Shell
.JPG)
References edit
- ^ WoRMS
- ^ a b "Poirieria (Poirieria) zelandica". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ George E. Radwin,Anthony D'Attilio Murex Shells of the World: An Illustrated Guide to the Muricidae
- ^ New Zealand Mollusca
- Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
- Glen Pownall, New Zealand Shells and Shellfish, Seven Seas Publishing Pty Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-85467-054-8
Media related to Poirieria zelandica at Wikimedia Commons