DSC_4115 Virgin paua, or marapeka (Haliotis virginea) showing underside. This animal is nocturnal, inhabiting the under-side of boulders and in crevices. This is the smallest, and deepest living of our pāua (depths of 30 m) and it is only rarely found intertidally. All Day Bay, Kakanui
DSC_4122 Virgin paua, or marapeka (Haliotis virginea) showing underside. This animal is nocturnal, inhabiting the under-side of boulders and in crevices. This is the smallest, and deepest living of our pāua (depths of 30 m) and it is only rarely found intertidally. All Day Bay, Kakanui *
DSC_12299 Univalves account for more than 75% of the molluscs in New Zealand. Most have 'whorled' shells, like the top snail (Diloma aethiops) top right. In paua (Haliotis virginea) bottom left, the whorls are reduced. In limpets (Notoacmea sp) bottom right, whorls occur only in the larval stage, and sea slugs such as (Alloiodoris lanuginata) top left, have lost their shell, or it has been reduced and become internal. Catseye Point, Kakanui *
