Pupa kirki from New Zealand
June 3, 2003
From: Bill Rudman
Here are some photos of the common species of Pupa, Pupa kirki, from northern New Zealand.
PHOTOS: Upper: Dredged between High Is and the shore, in muddy sand, Whangarei Heads, NE New Zealand, May 1963. Photo: M.C. Miller. Lower Left: showing spiral grooving on shell, typical of many primitive cephalaspideans. Lower Right: Showing shell variation. SW of Waewaetorea Is, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, October 1968 Shell height 10-14mm. AM C159690. Photo: Bill Rudman.
The spiral grooving on shell [lower left photo], is typical of many primitive cephalaspideans. Often the grooves are replaced by a series of pits which are described as punctate sculpture. In this shell the pits merge into one another, creating the scalloping effect along the edge of the groove.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
