Crassitoniella carinata explained

Crassitoniella carinata is a species of marine gastropod mollusc in the family Eatoniellidae.^[1] It was first described by Winston Ponder in 1965, and it is the type species for the genus Crassitoniella.^[2] It is endemic to the waters of New Zealand.

Description

Crassitoniella carinata has a distinctive orange-red coloured shell, with a wide protoconch. The living animal has white long tentacles, with large eyes.^[2] The species measures 1.91millimetres by 1.3 millimetres.^[3]

The species' shell is similar to the Australian species Crassitoniella flammea, but differs by having a uniform colour and distinct peripheral cord.^[2]

Distribution

The species is Endemic to New Zealand.^[1] The holotype was collected from shell sand found at Piwhane / Spirits Bay in the Northland Region, New Zealand. The species was first documented on the east coast of the North Island as far south as the Bay of Plenty, in 1995 a specimen was first identified on the west coast of the North Island.^[4] Additional specimens have been found in the waters near Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands.^[5]

Further reading

• Spencer, H.G., Marshall, B.A. & Willan, R.C. (2009). Checklist of New Zealand living Mollusca. pp 196–219. in: Gordon, D.P. (ed.) New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume one. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch

Notes and References

1. Crassitoniella carinata Ponder, 1965 . 2022 . 591572 . Marine Mollusca . 27 October 2022.
2. 2422-8567. 6 . 2 . 47–99. Ponder . W. F. . Winston Ponder . The Family Eatoniellidae in New Zealand . . 1965 .
3. Web site: Crassitoniella carinata . New Zealand Mollusca . 20 November 2022.
4. Additions to the mollusca from Kawerua, North Auckland . Tane . 1995 . 35 . 183–193 . Hayward . Bruce W. . Bruce Hayward . Morley . M. . Riley . J. . Smith. N.. Stace. G..
5. Web site: marine snail, Crassitoniella carinata Ponder, 1965 . . 27 October 2022.