General Description
Shell smooth with a long pointed spiral end (spire), sides quite straight. Colour patterns variable, usually green-brown with a light line spiral around the shell, sometimes wider broken spiral bands of colour. Opening oval, iridescent green with a thin lip. Inside of the shells brightly iridescent. Shell up to 4 cm long.
Biology
Kelp Shells washed up on the beach turn from green to red as they decay. They feed on the kelp amongst which they are found. They are often abundant where they occur.
Distribution
Southern mainland Australia and Tasmania.
Habitat
Kelp and other seaweeds in rock pools, bays and coasts.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Long, straight spire, iridescent green around opening, iridescent interior.
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Colours
Green, Brown
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Habitats
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Diet
Herbivore
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, DSE Advisory List: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m), Shallow (1-30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Perry, 1811)
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Common Name
Kelp Shell
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Superclass
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Class
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Subclass
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Order
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Superfamily
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Family
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Subfamily
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Genus
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Species Name
eximius