103 — Micro molluscs, Micrelenchus sanguineus

Micrelenchus sanguineus, Mount Beach,
Mt. Maunganui, 2015. 

Micrelenchus sanguineus * is a small herbivorous gastropod endemic to New Zealand. They are found at and below low tide down to a few metres depth on and around the bases of seaweed in clear water locations. They are quite small (~8mm), but can be brilliantly coloured and quite attractive little shells.

North Island examples from tend to be more colourful and patterned than ones from the south, which also differ in having a heavier shell (known as the cryptus form).

*(Gray in Dieffenbach, 1843)





















More info:

http://www.mollusca.co.nz/speciesdetail.php?speciesid=241&species=Micrelenchus%20sanguineus