New Zealand Seashore

DSC_3331 Red-mouthed whelk (Cominella virgata virgata) laying eggs. Shell is similar but taller than spotted whelk. On underside the columella is orange red and the operculum is horny and black. Found beneath rocks and stones on corallina, and Hormosera flats in tide pools in sheltered to exposed localities. Tokerau Beach, Karikari Peninsula *

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DSC_3331 Red-mouthed whelk (Cominella virgata virgata) laying eggs. Shell is similar but taller than spotted whelk. On underside the columella is orange red and the operculum is horny and black. Found beneath rocks and stones on corallina, and Hormosera flats in tide pools in sheltered to exposed localities. Tokerau Beach, Karikari Peninsula *

DSC 3331 Redmouthed whelk Cominella virgata shell egg eggs laying Tokerau Beach Karikari Peninsula