Herpetopoma bella is a species of marine gastropod mollusc in the family Trochidae, the top shells.

Distribution

This top shell is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand, and the Chatham Islands.

Habitat

It is commonly found under stones at low water, often covered by a bright red sponge.

Shell description

The shell is globose-conic, solid, imperforate in adult. Sculpture consists of spiral granose cords, six or seven on the penultimate whorl. The aperture is circular, with two strong tubercles, separated by a notch, at the base of the columella.

Coloration is dull blackish-brown, silvery iridescent within the aperture.

The maximum shell height is 6.5 mm, and width 6.5 mm.

References

• Powell A. W. B., William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1