Pupa affinis

Pupa kirki
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Orthogastropoda
Superorder:	Heterobranchia
Order:	Opisthobranchia
Suborder:	Cephalaspidea
Superfamily:	Acteonoidea
Family:	Acteonidae
Genus:	Pupa
Species:	P. kirki
Binomial name
Pupa kirki (Hutton, 1873)
Synonyms
Buccinulus kirki Hutton, 1873

Pupa kirki is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Acteonidae.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand, found around the North Island.

Habitat

This top shell lives on fine sandy bottoms at depths of between 40 and 200 m.

Description

The shell is solid, with spiral grooves and fine axial threads. The columella has a conspicuous bifid plait, separated from the parietal wall by a deep groove.

Coloration varies from pure white to tessellated with black. The periostracum is thin and yellowish, often stained rusty-brown.

The shell height is up to 18 mm, and width is up to 7.5 mm.

References

• Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
• Photo