Cavellia buccinella (Reeve 1852)

Distribution

North, South and Chatham Islands from Northland to eastern Southland.

New Zealand Threat Classification System

Not Threatened

Bio Status

Indigenous (Endemic)

Description

Shell very small, 2.5mm wide at 4.25 whorls, discoidal, umbilicated, thin, axially ribbed. Colour translucent white to pale buff, light brown or reddish brown or dark brown maculations on upper shell and zigzag colour bands on periphery and base; these often anastomosing to create tessellations. Spire little raised, very slightly convex; umbilicus about one third of max. shell diameter. Protoconch of 1.6 whorls, 589µm wide, sculptured by fine closely spaced axial ribs, which appear after the first quarter whorl; spiral lirae only weakly developed. Teleoconch whorls slowly increasing, convex, periphery and base rounded. Sculpture consisting of primary and fine secondary interstitial axials; protractive at the suture, slightly flexuous on the periphery and base; axials traversed by fine spiral lirae; periostracal blades on crests of axials. Small beads are developed where interstitial axials and microscopic spirals meet. Aperture round; outer lip sharp, retracting and forming a distinct sinus at the suture. Columella short, arcuate; inner lip not reflexed.

Habitat

Ground litter dweller in forests and shrublands from coastal to upper montane zone.