Diloma aethiops

Diloma aethiops is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Trochidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is common intertidally in rocky areas.

The shell is of moderate size, at once recognized by its colour pattern, dull olive with distant dark spiral lines on a lamellose periostracum. Weathered shells are dark bluish or purplish-brown, with spiral series of white vertical dashes. The columella, parietal wall and outer-lip are white, with the outer-lip broadly dark margined.

The upper whorls are usually eroded and pearly, and the operculum is circular and dark brown.

Maximum height is 28 mm, and width 31 mm.

References

• Miller M & Batt G, Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand, William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1973
• Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1