Semicassis thomsoni

Semicassis thomsoni is a species of large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc. This species is in the subfamily Tonnidae, the helmet shells and bonnet shells, which feed on sea urchins.

Distribution

This species is found in south east Australia and along the eastern coast of Northland in the North Island of New Zealand.

Distribution

This snail lives at depths of between 35 and 80 m.

Shell description

The shell is moderately large, fairly thin, and with one or two peripheral series of weak, laterally compressed nodules, each row on a raised spiral ridge. The inner lip callus shield is strongly warped outwards medially, and is also strongly wrinkled.

The shell coloration is pinkish-buff, with four spiral rows of rectangular reddish-brown markings.

The maximum shell height is 78 mm, and width 51 mm.

References

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