DSC_4343 Hairy mussel, or purewha (Modiolus areolatus) uncommon. Found attached to rocks by byssal threads, on open coasts from low tide to 130m throughout New Zealand. Also found as a fossil from the Oligocene 30 million years ago. Harrington Point, Otago Harbour
DSC_3363 A selection of small mussel shells (from left to right). Asian date mussel (Arcuatula senhousia) from Farm Cove, Little black mussel (Xenostrobus neozelanicus) from Muriwai, and Brackish water mussel (Xenostrobus securis) from Havelock
DSC_2335 Brackish water mussel (Xenostrobus securis) detail of shell. Found in beach drift, in estuaries, or attached to timber or rocks at low tide. Havelock, Marlborough Sounds *
