17 — New Zealand olive, Amalda (Gracilispira) novaezelandiae

Amalda (Gracilispira) novaezelandiae
(crystallina form), The Cove south
Piha 12/4/2004

Amalda (G.) novaezelandiae
Tamaki Drive 2016.

Amalda (G.) novaezelandiae
Tamaki Drive, 2016.

Amalda (Gracilispira) novaezelandiae (crystallina form) * is an unusual white form of this species. It is an olive shell and belongs in the family Olividae. At the moment, it's not considered to be separate from A. novaezelandiae, but I don't think any genetics have been done on the New Zealand species yet. There are several species of olive shell found in New Zealand and this species is one of the rarer ones.

The other two pictures are of A. novaezelandiae, live, just along from Ngapipi Bridge on Tamaki Drive. This species is usually found offshore, so it's very unusual to see them live at low tide.

* (G.B. Sowerby II, 1859)




















More info:

A good photographic guide to NZ olive shells

Fossil history