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POIRIERIA

Auckland Museum
Conchology Section

Volume 3 1 , July 2005

ISSN 0032-2377

CONTENTS

P.l Notes on Chemosynthetic Communities

by Michael K. Eagle '

P. 5 The Mt Wellington Lava Fields - Gone Forever

by Bruce F. Hazelwood '

i

P.9 Combing the Coast

by Bev Elliott j

P.14 The Australasian Genus

by Bruce Hazelwood

P.16 Conus coronaius C. aristophanes

by W. O. Cemohorsky ^

i

P.20 Privileged viewing of the nesting mussel, Modiolarca impacta

by Margaret S. Morley ■

P.2 1 Observations on Alcithoe arabica at Bucklands Beach ]

by Chris Home i

P.22 Landsnails from Burgess Island, Mokohinau Islands

by Bruce F. Hazelwood ;

P.26 Presumed Tonna cerevisina spaw'n ^

by Margaret S. Morley

P.29 Distribution of Marine Molluscs along the Temperate and Cold Water Regions of the
Southern Ocean and Adjoining Zones
by Zvi Or! in

P. 41 Tributes to Joan Coles

"Poirieria" is the journal of a private club which is closely associated with the Auckland Museum
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should go to: The Secretary, Rosa Tyson, 16 Kain St, Mt Eden, Auckland 4, New Zealand. ?

Notes on CHEMO SYNTHETIC COMMUNITIES

Michael K. Eagle

Hyrdothermal vent communities were first discovered in 1977 within a patch of
seafloor about 50 meters in diameter, 2,500 m deep on the Galapagos Rift, some 380
km northwest of the Galapagos Islands, Pacific Ocean. The discovery of previously
unknown colonies of marine macrofauna adapted to living in elevated temperatures,
high pressure, and ‘clouds’ of hydrogen sulphide naturally prompted much research.
Initial studies centred on the origin and concentration of life at hydrothermal vents
asking such questions as: how did large organisms exist there, did the characteristics
of each community represent successional stages or were they discrete biological
islands resulting from chance immigration across large expanses of seafloor, and were
marine organisms settling in response to different chemical gradients at each
occurrence or were communities simply haphazard and serendipity? Both biological
(physiological and ecological) and geological (environmental) programs by a number
of marine research facilities using deep-sea submersibles (e.g. ’Alvin’ - Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute, U.S.A) were subsequently undertaken both in the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans, charting vents, hot-spots, mid-ocean spreading ridges, and their
thermophilic (heat-seeking animal) residents (see: Gebruk et al. 2000).

Much literature has appeared since 1 977, elucidating upon community
structures, describing new species, and generally investigating the narrow
biogeographic distribution of such faunas. Many species and genera remain to be
discovered. Still relatively unknown are the migration pathways of larvae settling at
vents or ridges, their lifecycles, and dispersal mechanisms. Collectively known as
‘vent’ faunas, cold (e.g. methane seeps) and thermal micro-organisms existing on
surfaces, below the seafloor, in the water column, and in association with other
organisms remains an important frontier pertinent to the consideration of extreme life-
forms different from our own metabolic make-up. Recent templates are emerging for
vent and spreading-ridge processes controlling the evolution of ‘extremeophile’
faunas, but the cycle of origination and cessation of individual ‘vents’ and ‘vent
fields’, either as cold methane seeps or mid-ocean ridge thermal occurrences, is still
not well understood. However, by continuously and simultaneously observing the
biological, geological, chemical, and physical processes occurring at these sites, we
learn how all these process interact. Because many of the animals of these
communities host commensul bacteria that help feed them in such extreme biotopes,
they are called chemosynthetic. Chemosynthetic communities are also found fossil,
usually identified by an assemblage of ecologically similar constituents (e.g. bivalves
Bathymodiolus and Calyptogena, ventimentiferan tubeworm Riftia, surpulid
polychaete Laminatubus, and gastropod Alvinconcha). Seep faunas have been
recorded from New Zealand (e.g. Lewis & Marshal 1996), and Plio-Pliestocene seep
mussels recorded from Hawke Bay (Mike Collins 1998 - Auckland University
unpublished MSc thesis). Perhaps the greatest legacy of hydrothermal vent studies has
been the collaboration of scientists from many disciplines, including zoology,
oceanography, geology, and paleontology to learn how a previously unknown
ecosystem functions.

Since the initial 1977 discovery of vent-type faunas many questions have been
addressed regarding how animals can thrive in scolding, toxic water or (to us)
suffocating clouds of sulphur or pressurised methane flows. Food provision,
metabolic rates, dispersal mechanisms and distribution patterns are now

1

fundamentally known. Microbes oxidise geothermally produced sulphur compounds
(principally hydrogen sulphide), thereby providing energy for dense communities of
animals either surrounding isolated volcanic or spreading ridge hydrothermal vents.
Within the parameters of such sulphur-rich flowing seawater self-sustaining microbial
‘mats’ of motile hydrogen sulphide-oxidising bacterium grow and excrete large
amounts of flocculant, filaments of elemental sulphur. Initially, filaments are
produced by a single bacterium, but others progressively attach as colonisation
continues. Filaments grow incrementally as additional members of the species attach
and contribute to the total product. Animals living within such microbial mats host
different bacteria that assimilate sulphur, producing sugars and proteins to sustain the
host.

Recent research indicates present-day hot- vent faunal distribution to be a
product of historical dispersal. The concept of vicariance is important in
biogeography, particularly in the interpretation of organism patterns with respect to
the formation and disappearance of range barriers. Fossil communities of
chemosynthetic molluscs similar to those now living around modem hydrothermal
vents and cold-seeps have, like recent occurrences, now been recognised globally.
Marine sedimentary deposits containing ancient cold-seeps have been described from
Europe, Western United States, Japan, and Canadian Arctic (e.g. Goedert and
Campbell 1 995). However, many taxa from these fossil sites are poorly preserved and
cannot be identified, so that reports centre on stratigraphic, petrographic, and isotopic
data, with faunas only briefly mentioned. Of local interest is an early Miocene
(Altonian Stage) submarine canyon complex incorporating the Otakimiro Member,
Tirikohua Formation (see: Hayward 1976a,

1976b, 1979, 1983) located at Te Waharoa
Bay (some distance south of Maori Bay,

Muriwai - between Muriwai and Piha),

Motutara Coast, West Auckland (Fig. 1).

At the base of several of these canyons (one in
particular), are the displaced remains of a rich,
distinctive fluid seep (vent) chemosynthetic
fauna, that lived independent of the
photosynthesis-based (carbon) food chain
generally operating now and in the oceans at
that time. However, the animals (although
diagnostic in faunal association and composed
of known chemosynthetic genera), is not part
of a methane-rich dewatering mechanism
operating as a result of over-pressured sediments,
such as that found on a convergent margin, nor is
it a cold-seep vent (as those found offshore in
Hawke Bay) or mid-ocean ridge assemblage (like
the mid-Atlantic), but the fossil remains of a ,
volcanic vent community living at 1200-1500 m
depth on the submarine slopes of the prehistoric
Waitakere Volcano (Fig. 2). Since the faunal
assemblage is not in-situ, no chimneys or heavy
mineralised crusts have been found in association.

Apparently, the down-slope gravity flow of Fig, l . Map showing the Motutara

erupted ash and clastic material (perhaps a fluid seep fossil locality.

95 (

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succession of submarine lahars) carried deep-water marine invertebrate elements of a
thriving community, into the canyon. Distance travelled cannot have been far, and the
transport relatively gentle, as many bivalves including large lucinids , smaller

Fig. 2. A. Photograph composite of the Te Waharoa Bay coastline from Tirikohua Point. The fossil
locality is about mid-coastline. B. Site of the fluid seep fossil exposure, Te Waharoa Bay, Motutara.

mytilids, and vesicomyids (Fig. 3) possess valves still conjoined. Unbroken worm
tubes are also present in colonial numbers, and the assemblage is complimented by
the occasional gastropod. The lucinid was originally described (Eagle 1992) from a
different fossil locality without knowing either the extent of or significance of the
assemblage. The small allochthonous, diverse, localised fossil chemosynthetic
assemblage is entombed in an unusual diagenetically altered volcarenite that is black,
recrystallised, and well consolidated. Molluscan shells there are minerally replaced;
calcium carbonate has changed to calcite, and in thick shells, this preservation can
appear visually stunning. Fossil taxa from this site have yet to be described.

Fig. 3. A. Large lucinid (Anadonta waharoaensis), B. mytilid {Bathymodioliis n. sp.), and C.
vesicomyid {Calyptogena n. sp.) from the early Miocene Te Waharoa Bay fluid seep fossil locality.

The taxonomic status of many chemosynthetic species is constantly being
revised. Biological collections have the added advantage of genetic characters in
addition to the morphological characters of ‘chemoautotrophic’ fossils. However, as
recent and fossil chemosynthetic assemblages are discovered and studied our present
knowledge of a high diversity of biotopes, including black smokers, smoking craters,
diffuse flow areas, bacterial mats, mussel beds and heavy metal sediment gardens will
increase. Trophic analysis of these biotopes will provide valuable ecological models
for possible use in identifying life elsewhere in the universe where chemosynthesis is
viable and may predominate.

REFERENCES:

Eagle, M.K.

1992: A new lower Miocene species of Anadonta (Mollusca: Bivalvia). Records of
the Auckland Institute and Museum 29: 103-1 1 1 .

Gebruk, A. V., Chevaldonne P., Shank, T., Lutz R. A., and R. C. Vrijenhoek
2000: Deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities of the Logatchev area (14°45’N,
Mid-Atlantic Ridge): diverse biotopes and high biomass. Journal of the
Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 80 (3): 383-393.

Goedert, J. L. and Campbell, K. A.

1 995: An Early Oligocene chemosynthetic community from the Makah Formation,
Northwestern Olympic Peninsula, Washington. The Veliger 38: 22-29.

Hayward, B.W.

!976a: Lower Miocene geology and sedimentarynhistory of the Muriwai-Te Waharoa
coastline. North Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology
and Geophysics 19: 639-662.

!976b: Lower Miocene stratigraphy and structure of the Waitakere Ranges, North
Auckland, New Zealand and the Waitakere Group (new). New Zealand
Journal of Geology and Geophysics 19: 871-895.

1 979: Ancient undersea volcanoes: a guide to the geological formations at Muriwai,
west Auckland. Geological Society of New Zealand, Guidebook 3: 32p.

1983: Sheet Q1 1, Waitakere. Geological Map of New Zealand 1 : 50 000. New

Zealand Geolgical Survey, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Map (1 sheet) and Notes: 28p.

Lewis, K.B. and Marshall, B.A.

1 996: Seep faunas and other indicators of methane-rich dewatering on New Zealand
convergent margins. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 39:
181-200.

4

The Mt. Wellington Lava Fields - Gone Forever
Bruce F.Hazelwood

The Mt. Wellington Lava Fields was an area strewn with lava rock and scoria which was flung in all
directions from Mt. Wellington - Maungarae, Auckland, when the mountain errupted, (approx. 9000
years ago. The field extended south - west of the mountain, nearing the Manukau Harbour then
northwest through Penrose, and as far north as Abbotts Way, Ellerslie. The main lava flow spilled
into a deep basin - to the north of the mountain, this is what was the Mt. Wellington Quarry.

It is estimated that 8.5 million cubic meters of lava were extruded from the mountain. Some
locations comprised of lava rock in dense concentrations, native vegetation eventually colonized
this inhospitable environment became established. By the early 19th Century, these refugia were
lush containing a fauna of both arthropoda and snails.

Snails were collected by Henry Suter and Musson between 1890 and 1913,

the exact locations not recorded.

Many Scientists and Prominent Conchologists collected here.

Two species of landsnails were described from the Mt. Wellington Lava Fields.

Phenacohelix ponsonbyi (Suter, 1897)

Laoma (Phrixgnathus) moellendorffi Suter, 1 896
Type Locality - Mt. Wellington Lava Fields

Due to industrialisation and housing this specialised habitat had reduced considerably by 1980, few
sites remained. However one site survived near the Fulton Hogan Yards (at the end of Leonard
Road, Mt. Wellington). This site was a large rock pile covered by some trees, mostly privet. An
oasis, which was adjoined by a rocky (lava) wilderness covered with both native and introduced
vegetation, eg. toetoe {Cortaderia fulvida), privit and Australian wattle.

Jim Goulstone and Norm Gardner collected near here under high-tension power lines and close to
the lava caves, - toetoe / lava rocks piles.

I (B.F.H.) also collected under the power lines just off Gavin Street, opposite the Peni'ose sub
station. Under privet - bases of lava rocks (beside power pylons) and mostly from the substantial
lava rock heap at the end of Leonard Road.

Unpublished report - J.F. Goulstone 1977
Native landsnails from the Hunua Range and Several Locations in

South Auckland

“Mt. Wellington

An area extensively collected in Suter’s day has almost disappeared under factories and houses. A
small area underneath hightension power lines adjacent to the Penrose substation remains fairly
undisturbed and still supports a good range of species under a tumbled mass of rocks. However
none are plentiful and encroaching pressures here are so great that this colony cannot last!
Phrixgnathus sublucida - Phrixgnathus Nsp (cf lucidus) is a species found here which 1 (J.F.G.)
have not found elsewhere”

Subsequently Phrix Nsp (cf lucidus) was collected by Jim from Mt. William Walkway - Bombay
Hills and Coromandel Penninsula - collected by Norman Douglas. A closely “related form” is
present in the northern region of Great Barrier Island, (J.F.G.). unpublished.

When specimens were rechecked, some of the Phenacohelix giveni were found to be Phenacohelix
ponsonbyi. (Pers.Com. - Jim Goulstone)

Both Phenacohelix ponsonbyi and Laoma (Prix.) moellendorffi were found at Jims and my
(B.F.H.) localities.

Goulstone J.F. 2001

A Revision of the Genus Phenacohelix Suter, 1892 (Mollusca : Pulmonata) with Descriptions
of Four New Species and Reassignment of Thalassohelix ziczac
(Gould, 1846 Rec. Auck. Mus. 38 :39 -82

5

“Phenacohelix ponsonbyi

The type loeality of Phenacohelix ponsonbyi is the Mt. Wellington lava fields, Auckland. The type
locality has been virtually lost to urbanisation, with the area covered in houses and factories. No
forest cover remains. At the time of writing (August 1 998), B.F. Hazelwood could find only one
empty P. ponsonbyi shell at R1 1/726758, where 20 years ago the species was still abundant. This
is to be developed as a quarr>' but is presently covered with exotic weeds and litter”.

These sites w ere destroyed to make w ay for the Fulton Hogan Quarry .

A buffer zone still remains intact

Sampling of the buffer zone, behind houses on Eaglehurst Street needs attention.

Are any insects or snails still living there?

It is interesting when comparing all available sites and Suters list, that this is only a poor indication
of the total species that once inhabited this area.

The difference betw'een Jims and my (B.F.H.) sites even though only a few hundred metres apart is
dramatic. Sometimes a few metres separation can turn up a different combination of species.

Four plastic bags of litter from under rock heaps, still await attention at the Museum of New
Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.

It is interesting to note the emergence of Punctid nsp (off ariel)

(Sp 2000: Punctid nsp 140) at both localities and within the Mt.Wellington crater since Jim
Goulstone collected in the area.

Suters Laonta glabriuscula could be this species? or Punctid (nsp 59)

Cytora cytora

1

Species Present (J.F.G.)

Li area egea egea

2

Tornatell inops novoseelandica

2

Delos sp

1

Charopa coma

1

Mocella eta

4

Subfectola caputspinulae

(non Reeve,] 852)
Climocella akarana

2

Mocella eta

Huonodon pseudoleioda

1

(non Pfeiffer,] 853)

Ptychodon pseudoleioda

Therasiella celinde

1

Suteria ide

3

Phenacohelix giveni

20

Phenacohelix pilula

1

Phenacohelix ponsonbyi

5

Laoma leimonias

2

Phrixgnathns erigone

2

Phrixgnatlms moellendorffi

2

Phrixgnathus nsp (aff lucidus)

4

Phrixgnathns “transitans”

2

Punctid nsp {aff poecilosticta)

Paralaoma lateumbilicata

1

Leonard Road Locality (B.F.H.) 1/8/1998

Punctid nsp (aff ariel)

3

Phenacohelix giveni

10

Phenacohelix ponsonbyi

]

Flammulina perdita

5

Phrixgnathus moellendorffi

]9

Paralaoma caputspinulae

] Paralaoma pumila

Taguahelix crispata

6

Phrixgnathus fulguratus

]

Phrixgnathus conella

12

Punctid nsp 23

]

Charopa coma

2

Mocella eta

?

6

Cavellia buccinella
Delos sp.

Intrduced Species

Cantareus aspersus
Cochlicopa lubrica
Oxychiliis alliarius
Oxychilus cellarius
Lauria cydindracea

9

1

Located in the crater of Mt. Wellington (B.F.H.)

Punctid nsp (off ariel)

Climocella sp.

Paralaoma caputspinulae

Species list Contained in the Manual of the New Zealand Mollusca - Henry Suter

The Mt. Wellington Lava Fields

Modern usage

Therasiella celinde
Therasiella tamora
Charopa parva
Fectola infecta
Huonodon hectori
Phenacharopa pseudanguicula
Cavellia buccinella
Climocella sp.

Geminoropa Nsp (ajf cookiana)

Phenacohelix giveni
Phenacohelix ponsonbyi
Laoma marina
Phrixgnathus conella
Phrixgnathus erigone
Phrixgnathus Nsp 59?

Phrixgnathus moellendorffi
Paralaoma lateumbilicata
Paralaoma caputspinulae

Literature

1913 Suter, Henry, Manual of the New Zealand Mollusca, John Mackay,

Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand.

1977 Goulstone, J.F. Native Landsnails from the Hunua Range and several locations in South Auckland
Unpublished

1979 Powell, A.W.B., New Zealand Mollusca

William Collins publishers Ltd., Box 1, Auckland, New Zealand

1981 Climo, F.M, Classification of New Zealand Arionacea* (Mollusca: Pulmonata). VI 1 1.

Notes on some Charopid Species, with Description of New Taxa (Charopidae)

Rec.Nat. Mus. NZ. Vol 2, No 3 pages 9-15

1990 Goulstone, J.F., Landsnails from South Auckland, Poirieria, Vol 16, No 2.

1991 Hazelwood, Bruce F., The Status of some Charopid Genera, Poirieria, Vol 16, No 3, pages 12 - 27, July 1991
1995 Goulstone, J.F., Five New species of Climocella N.Gen. (Punctoidea; Charopidae)

Rec.Auck. Inst. Mus. 32: 63 - 90

2001 Goulstone, J.F. (Deceased), A Revision of the Genus Phenacohelix Suter, 1 892 (Mollusca : Pulmonata) with
Descriptions of Four New Species and Reassignment of Thalassohelix ziczac (Gould, 1846) Rec.Auck Mus. 38: 39 - 82

Suter’s List

Therasiella celinde

Therasiella tamora

Charopa pilsbryi

Endodonta (Thaumatadon) tau

Endodonta (Ptychodon) hectori

Endodonta (Charopa) anguiculus

Endodonta (group 3) buccinella

Endodonta (group 4) corniculum f albina

Endodonta (group 5) microrhina

Phenacohelix ponsonbyi

Phenacohelix ponsonbyi

Laoma marina

Laoma conella

Laoma erigone

Laoma glabriuscula

Laoma moellendorjfi

Laoma lateumbilicata

Laoma pumila

1

Book3.xls

Mt Wellington Lava Feilds

Suter

Goulstone

Hazelwood

Cytora cytora

+

Liarea egea egea

+

Tornatellinops novoseelandica

+

Charopa coma

+

+

Mocella eta

+

+

Climocella akarana

+

+

Huonodon hectori

+

Huonodon pseudoleioda

+

Fectola infecta

+

Charopa parva

+

Phenacharopa pseudanguicula

+

Geminoropa nsp (aff cooki ana)

+

Cavellia buccinella

+

+

Therasiella celinde

+

+

Therasiella tamora

+

Suteria ide

+

Phenacohelix giveni

+

+

+

Phenacohelix pilula

+

Phenacohelix ponsonbyi

+

+

+

Flammulina perdita

+

Laoma leimonias

+

Laoma marina

+

Phrixgnathus erigone

+

+

Phrixgnathus conella

+

+

Phrixgnathus fulgurates

+

Phrixgnathus moellendorffi

+

+

+

Phrx. nsp (aff lucidus)

+

Phrix. nsp ("transitans")

+

Phrix. nsp (aff ariel)

+

Taguahelix crispata

+

Paralaoma caputspinulae

+

+

Paralaoma lateumbilicata

+

+

Punctid nsp 23

+

Punctid nsp 59

+

Delos sp

+

+

Cantareus asperses

+

Oxychilus alliarius

+

Oxychilus cellarius

+

Lauria cylindracea

+

Page 1
8

I

COMBING THE COAST

By Bev Elliott

It was Feb. 2P‘ 1996, and I had an appointment with the Employment Adviser. What a waste of time!
One had to go through the outward appearance of job seeking, but everyone knew there weren’t any
jobs, especially for a lady in her mid 50’s. There was even a day when I called into the Kaikoura
Employment Office seeking some extra voluntary work, and they did not have even one job, paid or
voluntary, to offer to anyone. But on this day Noel was pleasant to talk with; she asked me about my
hobbies, and I told her of tramping, shells, photography, bird-watching and beachcombing. I told her of
my involvement with Seacare, taking part in the rescue of seals entangled with mans’ rubbish, and
picking up rubbish on the beaches. That sparked an idea. She would discuss with Seacai'e and DoC the
possibility of a beach cleaning job for me.

The weeks went by, and 1 had dismissed my job to the realms of wishful thinking, and then suddenly, at
the end of March, I was employed, 6 hours per day, 3 days per week, at $1 per hour! Eleven weeks went
by, and the beaches were somewhat cleaner, but the increase in my Bank Balance was NIL, and I
expressed my indignation at the unfairness of this! How easy, in these days of modern technology, to
blame the Computer and/or headquarters far away in the North Island. At last, one lump sum of back
payment came my way, along with the comment, “There’s no more money; it was only a 3 month job
anyway!” They hadn’t told me that before. Isn’t it strange how there’s plenty of money to pay people to
do nothing, but no money to pay people to do something useful! So I was unemployed again.

But I very soon decided that having done all that hard work, I was not going to sit back and let the
beaches revert back to the disgusting mess there’d been when I started. And it would be much more
pleasant to do it when I pleased, instead of being tied down to having to do it. So I continued happily
onwards, extending my territory to 26 kilometers, from Kowhai Mouth (south of Kaikoura) to Hapuku
(north of Kaikoura), which 1 did every 2 months, while the 12 k’s of more populated area around South
Bay, Kaikoura Peninsula and the township 1 cleaned monthly. I had been doing this about 1 8 months,
when I had an unpleasant encounter with an irate young man, one of a group employed to empty
rubbish bins. He did not appreciate my work one little bit! And for 2‘/2 weeks it looked as though 1 was
going to be workless again, as the Council, to appease their rubbish bin emptiers, brought in a law that
no beach rubbish was to be put in rubbish bins. Our Seacare leader plunged into the fray with
unstoppable determination, DoC came in on my side, the Council backed down, and at last 1 was off
and away again.

Several years later, with an amazing change of heart, the Council presented me with a Community
Services Medal for my work. But that’s another story — for the moment, I was merely tolerated.

I was walking 26 km of coastline on a regular basis. In Sept 1997, on a trip to Cape Campbell, I walked
down the coast to Boo Boo Stream, and had the satisfaction of knowing that, over the years, 1 had
walked 55 consecutive km of coastline, from lire River to Wairau Lagoon. I had also walked from Big
Bush Gully to Waiau Mouth in Sept 1993. (That trip, with its haul of well over 100 Chlamys
gemmulata, was reported in Poirieria Vol 17 No 1 May 1994.)

The several kilometers from Oaro to Claverly, around the beautiful and fascinating Amuri Bluff, were
often on our Tramping Group programme, and occasionally the Gore Bay to Hurunui Walkway was
too. And I had explored the Motunau area for fossils. 1 began to wonder how far north and how far
south one could walk along the coastline.

The Marlborough Sounds would be impossibly difficult. So I started at Monkey Bay, north of
Blenheim, in July 1998, and walked along Rarangi Beach to Wairau Mouth. Then I got permission to
cross private land to the Wairau Bar, and walked along to the south side of Wairau Mouth. I put several
long beach walks on the Tramping Group programme, and began filling in the gaps from Ure to
Clarence to Hapuku (north of Kaikoura), and Kahutara to Oaro (south of Kaikoura). Gore Bay to Waiau

9

Mouth went on the programme, and in Oct. 1998, four eager trampers set off, little dreaming of the
obstacles that lay ahead. Steep cliffs, jagged rocks and an exploding population of seals, which included
tw'o for three that were prepared to defend their beach against the human invaders! I found myself
alone, facing a very determined seal, while my trusty companions were scaling the nearby cliff with
surprising agility! It was time to give up, as the tide was almost low, and we were only a quarter of the
way. If one could have low tide all the way, it would be okay, but on a trip that was going to take five
hours each way, high tide had to come into it somewhere.

It wasn’t until my fifth try that I actually completed it, by starting before daylight, shortly before high
tide, and I just kept going, no matter what. I had to be prepared to get wet, and to go up and over if I
really couldn’t go around, and I refused to be intimidated by any seal that thought I shouldn’t be there.
Seals are very seldom aggressive, but the sheer numbers in this area are rather daunting. I was told that
a few years ago there were 30 to 40; now (March 2000) there are 3000 to 4000, with 100s of young
ones coming on. It was great to watch the baby seals frolicking in a big pool at low tide, and then
further north a lovely waterfall comes over the cliff into the sea, with lots of young seals sitting on the
rocks around it. The high tidal difficulties faced in the morning were all gone by midday, and with the
tide out, the return trip was so much easier.

Nape Nape to Motunau was going to be a difficult piece of coastline. I called at Stonyhurst, halfway
between the two, and was refused permission even to walk across the paddock to see what the coast
was like. I said that “You can’t stop me walking along the coast - you can only make my walk a whole
lot more difficult and risky.” With access through Stonyhurst denied, that part of the walk had to be
divided in two. Up the coast from Motunau proved to be mostly easy after all, a long sandy beach that I
walked in March 1999. I encountered a Yellow Eyed Penguin, moulting there. The sandy beach ended
abruptly with a very difficult point near Black Birch Stream. At low tide the water was knee deep as I
paddled around, and I had to get back within an hour before the tide started rising. A little further north
I found the remains of the steamer "Kaiwarra", wrecked there in 1942. What an inhospitable place to be
shipwrecked! Her crew of 45 were all rescued, but not until 3 days later, and it must have been a very
anxious time of waiting.

In April 1999, a month later, I was on my way back to the “Kaiwarra”, this time from the north. This
piece of coastline was the most amazing of all, with fantastic cliffs and spires of white limestone. It was
also the most difficult, quite impossible in places, making it necessary to retreat to the cliff tops. The
scenery was even more spectacular along the beach at low tide on the way back.

South of Motunau was going to be too difficult, and for a while I was satisfied with having completed
Blenheim to Motunau, 230 kilometers. But Blenheim to Christchurch would sound so much more
impressive. Maybe the long sandy beaches from Waipara south to Christchurch wouldn’t be as boring
as I thought. And maybe the rocky coast north of Waipara w'ouldn’t be as impossible as I thought. In
Oct. 1999 Olive Boyd and I had a scenic coastal flight from Kaikoura to Waipara, an 80"’ Birthday
present for her, and for me a wonderful opportunity to see from the air the places I’d walked, and also
the places I hadn’t walked, some of which looked very formidable. Much time was spent later, poring
over the photos we’d taken.

In Nov. 1 999 an operation on my foot put me out of action for a while, but at Easter 2000 I contacted
Ross Little at Mt Vulcan, south of Motunau. What a contrast - he couldn’t have been more obliging,
and with his advice and assistance, I walked the long length of rocky and very isolated coastline from
Motunau to Montserrat to Glen Afric. Although Motunau and Glen Afric are both interesting fossil
areas, it was disappointing to find between them a long stretch of nothing much.

In June 2000, looking for easy tramps to do in the winter, I started on the long sandy beaches north of
Christchurch, and finished them in October, a little here and a little there, not in consecutive order. The
southernmost piece, from New Brighton Pier to Heathcote/Avon Estuary, was done on a brilliant

10

August day, and it was a great thrill to reach the end of the 300 kilometer tramp, even though there
were still some parts further north to do. 1 8 little Wrybills were there to greet me, as well as flocks of
Oystercatchers and Gulls.

At this stage, August/September 2000, I was ready to tackle the next part of the difficult rocky coast,
from Glen Afric to Waipara. Each time the tides were right, the weather was not. The rain came down
in bucketfuls, and the wind blew gales! On Oct. 1 1”’ I drove to my destination at Waipara, determined
to wait until the weather improved. And wait I certainly did, right through the notorious Oct. 12"' storm
that did so much damage to Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. By Oct. 14"’ the weather was fine, and I
set off down the coast from Glen Afric to see if I could get south to Waipara. But once the sandy beach
ended, the rocky coast was so rough that I had to seek a way on to the cliff top — and once I got on the
cliff top, there were some great views of the coast down below, but no way of getting down to it. I
covered a long way that day, and could see my goal in the distance, but it was too far, and the going
tlirough Waipara Pine Forest was too tough, and there was still no way down to the beach. This time I
returned with a heavy bag of fossils. Eucrassatella ampla shells, Cucullaea inarata Ark Shell,
Tumidocarcinus giganteus Crabs and Flabellum coral.

The last few kilometers of coastline would have to be tackled from the Waipara end. And I knew it
would be rough, as Td tried it some years before, and found it far too difficult. But this time so much
was at stake - I was going to complete Blenheim to Christchurch no matter what. So I just kept on
scrambling over huge rocks, on and on, until at last I rounded a comer on to the sandy beach Td
photoed from the cliff top a month earlier. TVE DONE IT!!! And at the same moment I saw a metre
thick band of Eucrassatella ampla along the bottom of the cliff, and there were other fossils further
along, and a nesting colony of Black Backed Gulls on the beach, and Spotted Shags nesting on the cliffs
above - oh, the excitement of trying to collect fossils, and observe the birds, and take photos, and
explore further while the tide was low, while being very careful to watch the time, and retreat before the
tide started to rise.

This was Nov. 2000, and in Dec. 2000 I was back there again, this time with 9 companions. What a
grand day out for this group of Creation Science supporters, and some heavy loads of fossils were
carried out that day. The Spotted Shags, however, were not enjoying life at all. Many of the growing
chicks had fallen out of their nests and tumbled down the cliff, with very high mortality. Some had
survived, and were waiting in the hot sun for their parents to come back and feed them. In March 2001 1
returned for one more visit, to try to link up with where I had come south from Glen Afric. Along
Crassatella Beach, around Terrible Point (which isn’t terrible at all, at low tide), along Spire Beach with
its 2 spectacular rocky spires - just one short piece to go, but time was miming out, and the going was
getting rougher with huge steep rocks, and the cliffs unclimbable. So I’ll have to be content with having
done that piece along the cliff top back in October. Some of the Spotted Shags had survived the tumble
down the cliff and all the other dangers of life, and one of my photos shows over 50 young adult shags
on a big rock at Spire Beach.

Things found on beaches:

Vast amounts of Polystyrene and huge sheets of plastic. Back in the 90s, workmen littered Construction
areas and the nearby coastline indiscriminately. There has been a tremendous improvement in
environmental consciousness since then.

The same applies to fishermen, who no longer discard all their mbbish into the sea. Storms, of course,
still wash floats, ropes, nets, etc ashore.

Blue plastic strapping is a hazard to our seals, some of which have been horribly choked to death.
Seacare members rescued a number of these before it was too late. Once the offending plastic or rope is
removed, seals can fully recover from horrendous injuries.

Drink bottles and cans by the hundreds.

My 2 pet hates: Glass bottles deliberately smashed and disposable nappies!

Useful items of clothing and footwear; even a lovely white blouse that I have often worn to church.
Snorkels, facemasks and flippers, often still useable, and a life jacket that one friend was very pleased
to get.

Enough towels and hankies and socks to last me for the rest of my life.

Camping equipment, tent bag, tent pegs, ground sheets, parka, mittens and woolly hats.

Numerous Golf balls, which I give to my neighbour, and tease him about being able to hit them so far,
as the Golf Course is quite a distance from the beach.

Some folk have even left their holiday films or cameras on the beach. One Camera (after the required 2
months at the Police Station) took the most beautiful wide-angle photos - but only for one film, and
then it went dead.

Shells: more for shellwork than for the collection. But in 2000 and 2001 I found 6 Paper Nautilus, the
only ones Eve found in 50 years of shell collecting.

Dead birds are recorded for Ornithological Society Beach Patrols. Huttons shearwaters are common,
also spotted shags, occasional sooty shearwaters, blue penguins, white-flippered penguins, fairy prions,
broad-billed prions, wandering albatross, giant petrels, mollymawks, cape pigeons, westland black
petrels, diving petrels, antarctic fulmar (one), grey backed storm petrel (one). Among many live bird
species are three rare penguins: yellow eyed, erect crested, and a single very healthy adelie, maybe the
only record for new Zealand.

A dead Sperm Whale. Part of a dead Giant Squid. 2 dead Giant Sunfish, both in excellent condition.
Occasional dead sharks and dolphins. Dead Basking Sharks: These monstrous creatures have a strange
way of decaying. When they are about half rotted away, they have a long neck with a small head, and a
long tail, and somewhat resemble a plesiosaur. It was one of these that gave rise to the m>1;h that
Japanese fishermen netted a dead plesiosaur off the east coast of the South Island in the 1970s. Fur
seals by the thousands. One living Hookers sea lion. Occasional living sea leopards and sea elephants.
Sea elephants are almost always juveniles. It is many years since I’ve seen a big adult male with his
bulbous nose.

And the Fossils! Only a few places along the coast have fossils: Amuri Bluff (lots of Belemnites and a
few bits of plesiosaur bone). Big Bush Gully (a good selection of shells), south of Nape Nape
(Cirsotrema lyrata), Motunau, Glen Afric, and the coastline north of Waipara. A partial list from north
of Waipara:

Dosinia bensoni (huge), Dosinia greyi, Glycymeris (8cm)

Cyclomactra ovata, Bassina yatei, Eucrassatella ampla (huge)

Maoricardium (huge, but only pieces), Panopea, various Pectens

Oysters (huge!) the hinge alone is 10cm, and the best one was too heavy to carry.

Large Dentalium (lots), Cominella and other whelks, Alcithoe

Struthiolaria spinosa, Zelandiella (close to Austrofusus but smaller & rounder)

Many Polinices Moon Shells, Tudicula (one), Maoricr>pta radiata

Ataxocerithium suteri, Austrotoma obsoleta, Terebra Zeacuminia orycta

Baiy'spira novaezelandiae, Baiy'spira subhebera.

Larger olives similar to Oliva australis.

From Glen Afric: Cucullaea inarata (huge Ark Shell), Flabellum coral.

Giant Turritella ( 1 0cm), Pectens (like Pallium convexum, but bigger),

Tumidocarcinus giganteus (the Giant Crabs for which Glen Afric is famous, but I only found a few
scrappy bits and pieces),

Eucrassatella ampla, large Cardium.

12

i

I

13

The Australasian Genus Eudoxochiton:

(Mollusca - Polyplacophora: Callochitonidae)

Bruce Hazelwood

The Genus Eudoxochiton is represented by two species, Eudoxochiton nobilis (Gray, 1843) from
New Zealand and and the Kermadec Islands. The other Eudoxochiton (Eudoxoplax) inornatus
(Tenison-Woods, 1881) from Tasmania. South Australia and Victoria. Both species posses shell
eyes, as do all species within the Callochitonidae.

Genus Eudoxochiton Shuttleworth, 1853 E.nobilis - intertidal-subtidal
Subgenus Eudoxoplax Iredale& May,1916 E.(E.) inornatus - subtidal

Kaas and Van Belle (1985) illustrate a juvenile specimen of E. nobilis. (Page 71), which at first
glance appears to be a new species of Callochiton.

The girdle eliments in this juvenile differ from the adult, having a pattern of closely fitting spicules
instead of a leathery girdle. This state closely resembles that in Callochiton. The validity of the
subgenus Eudxoplax Iredale & May, 1916 is in serious jepody. Eudoxochiton Shuttleworth, 1853
tentatively stands as being distinct from Callochiton S.S. The dominent insertion plates at the end
of the valves in Eudoxochiton are significant, however, some fonn of insertion plate can be present
in other species of Callochiton. It appears that only size, leathery girdle and spikes separate
Eudoxochiton from Callochiton, juvenile girdle elements of E. nobilis closely equate with that of
Callochiton Gray, 1 847
Conclusions

1) It would be interesting to see a juvenile specimen of E.(E). inornatus

E.(E) inornatus girdle elements are midway between Eudoxochiton and Callochiton.

2) There are two species in Eudoxochiton\

3) Is Eudoxoplax a synonym of Eudoxochiton?

4) Is Eudoxochiton Shuttleworth, 1853; a sub-genus of Callochiton Gray, 1847
Literature

1979 Powell, A. W.B.

New Zealand Mollusca

William collins Publishers Ltd., Box 1, Auckland New Zealand.

1985 Kaas,P.& Van Belle,R.A.

Monograph of Living Chitons Vol. 2,: 69 -74

E. Brill/Dr. W.Backhuys, Leiden-London-Koln-Kobenhavn

Acknowledgements

Brill Publishers, PO Box 2300,PA, Leiden, The Netherlands
For permission to publish illustrations

Monograph of Living Chitons Vol 2. Piet Kaas and Richard Van Belle

Jan van der Linde

Senior Acquisitions Editor

VSP International Science Publishers

VSP is a subsidiary of Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands.

14

I

70

Pie! Kaos <S Richard A. Van Belle

mon(k:raph oi- living chitons

71

Rg. 32. Eudoxochilon (E.) nohilis (Gray).

I, whole specimen, dorsal view,xl.6; 2, valve IV, dorsal view.xl.6; 3, do, anterior
view,x 1.6; 4, valve VIII, dorsal view,x 1.6; 5, do. lateral view.x 1.6; 6, dorsal spicules and
chitinous bristle, in situ, x 40; 7, isolated dorsal spicules, x 2(X); 8, ventral scales, x 200; 9.
central and first lateral radula teeth, x50; 10, heads of major lateral teeth, x50.

1, specimen from New Zealand. B.3, Weeding don., K 2400; 2 10. specimen from Stewart
Id, New Zealand, Penniket leg., VB 2517a.

Fig. 33. Eudoxochilon (E) nobilis (Gray), juvenis.

I, whole specimen.dorsalview.x 9.6; 2, granulation of pleural part of central area of valve
IV, x40; 3, valve IV, anterior view, x 4.8; 4, do, dorsal view, x 4.8; 5, dorsal girdle spic-
ules, X 200, a from the narrow (exposed) side, b-c from the broad side, d supra-marginal
spicule; 6, ventral girdle scales,x400.

1-6, specimen from New Zealand, Bay of Islands, Tapeka Point, R.K. Dell leg., NMNZ
M5382.

74

Piet Kaas <5 Richard A. Van Belle

Fig. 34. Eudoxochilon lEudoxoplax) inornaius (Tenison-Woods).

I. whole specimen, dorsal view.x 2.4; 2, vahe* IV, dorsal view. x 4.8; 3, valve VII 1, dorsal
view.x 4.8; 4. valve IV, anterior view.x 4. 8; 5. valve VIII, lateral view.x 4 8; 6, ventral girdle
scales, lateral and ventral view,x400; 7, do, arrangement, x 100; 8. dorsal spicules, x 400;
9, supra-marginal ringshafl-necdlcs, x 400; 10, marginal spicule, x 400; II, head of major
lateral radula tooth, xlOO; 12, central and First lateral radula teeth, xIOO.

1-12, specimens from the W coast of N. Briiiiy Id, Tasmania. -I m. J.R, Penprase leg., VB
2769.

Conus coronatus Gmelin, 1791 v. C,aristophanes Sowerby, 1857

W. O. CERNOHORSKY

The taxonomic treatment of these two species has rarely been consistent. Some workers
regard C.aristophanes to be sjmonymous with C. coronatus or consider the former to be a
subspecies of the latter. A subspecific taxonomic treatment is not acceptable since both
species are sympatric in distribution with no published records of hybridization to date.

Although sympatric, the two species have a preferred habitat: C. coronatus inhabits reef flats
where it is usually found under coral rocks on a thin sand covering on a hard reef substrate,
usually towards the reef edge. C.aristophanes lives in thinly weeded sand, but very
occasionally strays under a coral rock.

The two quickest diagnostic characters by which the two species can be differentiated is by
the spiral sculpture on the early spire whorls and the shell’s colouring. C. coronatus has a
spiral sculpture of 4-7 fine, but distinct spiral threads, whereas C.aristophanes has a much
weaker sculpture of 1-3 spiral grooves. The ornamentation in C. coronatus consists of 2
brown to blackish-brown transverse bands which are often broken up into irregular blotches,
and spiral lines of dots and streaks. In C.aristophanes the shell is ornamented with 2 broad ,
grey, greenish-grey or greenish-brown transverse zones and spiral spots, with the addition of
irregular whitish, wavy or zigzag vertical lines. This latter ornamentation is missing in
C. coronatus. The latter species is also usually more ventricose with its greatest width below
the shoulder, while C.aristophanes is more conical, with more parallel sides, and usually its
greatest width is at the shoulder. Both species have a thin, smooth, translucent yellow to
orange periostracum.

In the Fiji Islands and the Society Islands, the author found C.aristophanes to be considerably
more common than C. coronatus.

REFERENCES

Gmelin, J. F. 1791. Carol! Linnaei systema naturae per regna tria naturae. Editio Decima
Tertia. Leipzig, vol.6: 3389.

Sowerby, G.B. 1857-58. Thesaurus Conchyliorum. London, 3(18):9, pl.4, figs.81,82.

16

CONUS CORONATUS - Spire view

CONUS ARISTOPHANES - Spire view

17

CONUS CORONATUS GMELIN, 1791

Fig. 2a Fig. 2b Fig. 3a Fig. 3b

Figs. 1a - Id. Tanna Id., Vanuatu, la, 1b. 25.0 x 17.2mm (with periostracum);
1c, Id. 21.0 X 14.4mm.

Figs. 2a, 2b. Ndai Id., Solomon Ids. 33.0 x 22.3mm

Figs. 3a, 3b, Aitutaki, Cook Ids. 3a. 27.7 x 19.0mm; 3b. 27.8 x 18.7mm

18

CONUS ARISTOPHANES SOWERBY, 1857

Fig. lb

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4a Fig. 4b Fig. 5a Fig. 5b

Figs. 1a, 1b. Aneityum, Vanuatu. 23.8 x 15.3mm

Fig. 2. Piti Channel, Guam Id., Marianas Ids. 23.0 x 16.1mm

Fig. 3. Yadua Id., W. off Viti Levu, Fiji Ids. 22.2 x 14.2mm

Figs. 4a, 4b. Papara, Tahiti, Society Ids. 21.2 x 13.4mm (with periostracum).

Figs. 5a, 5b, Hitiaa, Tahiti, Society Ids. 5a. 21.0 x 13.6mm;

5b. 21.3 X 13.8mm (with periostracum)

I

19

Privileged viewing of the nesting mussel, Modiolarca impacta

(Hermann, 1782)

Margaret S. Morley

At Eastern Beach, Auckland on 12 October 2003, I collected a bunch of washed up
squid eggs needed for a photograph. At home I looked at them under the microscope to
check if any were still alive. There was no sign of activity in the eggs but a tiny bivalve
less than 2 mm long was rapidly vaulting along the surface of the squid eggs (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Movement of juvenile Modiolarca impacta
a. Progress occurs in a series of jerky loops, b. Foot extended, tip secured to
substrate, c. Foot contracts strongly pulling the shell forward in a jumping action,
d. Tip of foot releases and extends forward again to repeat sequence.

The sculpture on the semi-transparent shell was just developed enough to identify it as a
nesting mussel, Modiolarca impacta. The hinge was uppermost and the valves partly
open. The long, flexible foot extended in front of the valves and the tip adhered to the
surface (Fig. lb). The foot muscle then contracted pulling the shell up to the attached
tip of the foot (Fig. Ic). This sequence was repeated (Fig. Id), resulting in a rapid rate
of travel considering the size of the bivalve. The tip of the foot appeared to be
investigating the nature of the surface ahead and did not always adhere straight away.
There was no sign of byssal threads which create the “nest” around an adult cluster.

An hour later it had stopped moving and had tucked itself inside a tiny pocket of the
squid egg membrane. The opportunity to observe this single specimen posed several
questions. Did I see a juvenile just settled out of the plankton seeking a suitable place
for the next stage in its life cycle? Are byssal threads only secreted to create a
permanent abode after a crevice has been found? Since various sizes of Modiolarca
impacta live enclosed in the same communal nest of byssal threads, mobile juveniles
must have a way of finding existing clusters. It seems to suggest that juveniles can

20

detect and respond to chemicals given off by the adults. If unsuccessful in finding a
cluster, can a single specimen survive alone?

Adult Modiolarca impacta are covered by a thick, olive-green periostracum and the
interior is strongly iridescent. The inflated, oval valves have two distinctive bands of
radial ribs at each end of the valves. Apart from some fine, irregular growth lines, the
central area is smooth. The sculpture on an adult (Fig. 2) is more developed than on the
juvenile observed.

Fig. 2 Adult Modiolarca impacta.

Respecting its vigorous efforts to find a home, I suspended the strand of squid eggs
with the embedded Modiolarca impacta in my aquarium, but have not been able to
locate it since.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Clare Hayward for formatting the article.

OBSERVATIONS ON ALCITHOE ARABICA AT BUCKLANDS BEACH

by Chris Horne

1 live at Bucklands Beach, Auckland and regularly walk along it, often seeing live specimens of Alcithoe
arabica. 1 have seen them in shallow water at low tide with foot fully extended, ‘gliding’ over the seabed and
sometimes in the act of grappling with a buried pipi. More often they are found Just above the low tide mark
exposed on the beach or in various stages of burial. If one lifts these beach specimens up one may find a pipi
fully enclosed in the foot or sometimes wrapped around an object in the process of egg laying. Of the 70 egg
cases I have found, mostly at the high tide mark after storms, most (40) are laid on dead Maoricolpus roseus
shells, a few each on 20mm stones, several on pipi and cockle shells and the rest on various other shells. The
M. roseus occur in the deeper water from low tide to the shipping channel in huge numbers.

Sometimes there is one egg case per object but 1 have a few with two cases and one pebble with three egg
cases, two on the stone and one piggy-back on another egg case. Site selection may therefore be a matter of
a chance hit on a solid object.

Many of the live specimens have an eroded shell with a slightly green algal tinge and resemble the dead
shells around the low tide mark, whether this gives these shallow water dwellers some kind of camouflage
value is debateable but it renders them unsuitable for shell collections.

Bucklands Beach has many micro-habitats along its length. At one end, the beach abuts Granger’s Reef rock
platform. Here the low tide area consists of 20mm pebbles and Alcithoe happily burrow into this. One one
occasion I found a volute with its foot totally around a Turbo smaragdus shell, with the operculum dislodged
but I could not establish whether this was a feeding or egg-laying episode or perhaps both.

Alcithoe are found all along the beach from pebbly bottom to coarse sand to the muddy sand north of the
boat launching ramp.

On one particularly hot summer day when the very low tide coincided with the early afternoon heat 1
obser\'ed around a dozen Alcithoe fully buried in a sand flat, but detectable because they had raised the front
of the shell making a small mound in the sand and a tiny opening presumably to allow in air.

The far northern end of the beach ends in an uplifted mud-stone reef with sub-fossil shells of Alcithoe
arabica and several kinds of shell which are now rare or absent at Bucklands Beach including Pecten
novaezelandiae, Tucetona laticostata, Zenatia acinaces and very large pre-European-sized Cyclomactra
ovata. This area would have been more exposed coast before Rangitoto arose.

21

LANDSNAILS FROM BURGESS ISLAND,
MOKOHINAU ISLANDS

Bruce F. Hazelwood

Introduction - D.O.C. Presentation
Science & Research Series No. 70
Mokohinau Islands

The Mokohinau Islands are part of a broken chain of rhyolitic volcanoes within the Coromandel
volcanic zone (Browne and Greig 1980) Situated some 1 10 km NE of Auckland, the group has the
potential to provide significant refuges for endangered species. The group consists of Fanal (73 ha),
Burgess (56 ha), Maori Bay (1 lha),Trig (16 ha) andl7 islets ir stacks (Fig. 1). All but a few small
out lying stacks were known to have kiore. Both the stag beetle and skink are known only from
Stack H, from which kiore have never been recorded. Burgess and Trig have been extensively
modified by stock associated with lighthouse keepers, and all islands have been extensively
modified by fire. Muttonbirders from Great Barrier Island have frequently burnt the Knights Group.
A lighthouse was errected at the summit of Burgess in 1883, and since then stock and fire have
reduced the natural vegetation to remnants along cliffs. Most of Burgess is now covered in rank
pasture grass, buffalo grass {Stenotaphrum secundatum), and club rush (Scirpus nodosus). Maori
Bay and Trig possess a varied vegetation and provide some idea of what the species composition on
Burgess may have been, although only Stack H appears truely unmodified. Both Maori Bay and
Trig are dominated by extensive areas of dense flax {Phormium tenax), broken by emergent or
clusters of pohutukawa {Metrosideros excelsa) and ngaio {Myoporum laetum). Bare ground beneath
the pohutukawa has enabled some hardwoods to establish. The small associated stacks may have
escaped fire, but although their vegetation appears little modified, their fauna has been affected by
the presence of kiore.

Auckland Conser\ ancy Land Inventory - as at June 1995 Page 174
Mokohinau Islands Nature Resen e
Habitat: Shrubland / Forest

Physical Description: Small rugged group of volcanic islands northwestern of Great Barrier Island.
Covered in low coastal forest and shrubland. Steep cliff coastline, 0-1 50m above sea level. Reserve
does not include Burgess Island, which is scenic reserve.

Geomorphologv' / Geology : Small rugged group of islands with coastal cliffs which are the most
remote of the outer Hauraki Islands.

Landscape: Remote group of exposed rocky outcrops distinguished by a cover of stunted
vegetation and perimeter of sheer cliffs. High landscape values.

Fauna: Land fauna scarce, 8 lizard species occur, endangered stag beetle, petrels terns and gannet
colonies. North Island saddleback release on Fanal Island. Fanal Island most forest birds including
red-crowned parakeet, bellbird, N.Z. pigeon, kaka, tomtit and common bush birds.

Flora: Original forest modified by natural fires. Vegetation is mainly coastal species (pohuthkawa,
Coprosma species and houpara, Pseudopanax lesson'd). Largest island (Fanal) is half flax, half
kohekohe and houpara.

Historic: Hokoromea and Atihau-terraces, midden and fmdspots. Maori sites associated with
muttonbirding.

Fanal: 7 terraces, working floor, midden tapu area. A locally used obsidian source.

Maori Cultural: An important muttonbirding area to the Aotea tribe of Great Barrier Island.
Introduced Animals: Kiore on Fanal Island
Introduced Weeds: Prickly pear cactus

Landing Permit Required

22

Auckland Conservancy Land Inventory - as at June 1995 Page 28
Burgess Island Scenic Reserve
Habitat: Pasture/Shrubland

Physical Description: One of the rugged Mokohinau Islands of volcanic origin northwest of Great
Barrier Island. A lighthouse station, covered mainly in pasture with some coastal shrubland. Has a
steep coastline. Over 100m above sea level at highest point.

Geomorphology/Geology: One of the Mokohinau Islands, which are a small rugged group of
islands with coastal cliffs and are the most remote of the outer Hauraki Islands.

Landscape: Not assessed

Fauna: Red- cro\\Tied parakeet, morepork, pipit. Tui, bellbird and kaka visit the island. Red billed
gull colony, nesting sea birds.

Flora: Little remains of original forest cover, due to modification by fire. Coastal forest of
pohutukawa, karamu and other species occur, as well as extensive flax.

Historic: Little evidence of prehistoric Maori occupation: six recorded Maori sites (4 rock shelters
and 2 other occupation sites) Tapu burial area at boulder beach. Considerable archaeological
evidence associated with the lighthouse complex (1882-1979) and World War 2 RNZAF radar
station.

Maori Culture: Maori name for the island group is Pokohinu.

Introduced Animals: Farm animals associated with lighthouse removed. Kiore erradicated
1990-1991

Introduced Weeds: Cactus, sweet pea, raspberry, gorse. Agave americana,

Crassula multicava, Crocosmia crocosmiiflora and Watsonia bulhillifera

Landsnails from Burgess Island

Conchology Section, Auckland Museum Institute

We left Auckland approx. 6am 18/4/2004 for Leigh Harbour, then departed at 8 am by chartered
launch, for the Mokohinau Islands. I had heard little of this island group, notably that entomologist
Willy Kushell had discovered a new species of native landsnail (Punctid) from somewhere around
here, gathered from insect traps. Kushell was present on Burgess Island 27/2/1978. The object of
this trip was to relocate this species. Tliere are also reports of some new species of native landsnails
from Stack H.

I had a permit to collect litter samples from Burgess Island only, which 1 dried, and sorted out later.
On arrival at the islands, we circumnavigated Burgess Island and the Knights Group, but not Fanal
Island. The vegetation was very windswept and stunted - consisting mainly of Pohutukawa, Ngaio
and flax. The Knights Group to the south - west, commonly called The Flax Islands, were the best
vegetated, covered with flax. Pohutukawa occasionly asserted itself.

Burgess Island was immediately recognisable by its lighthouse, perched on the highest point. This
island is mainly covered by grass, derived from fire and occupation by stock. The native vegetation
has survived on rocky cliffs, and is now slowly regenerating.

At the landing spot at Burgess Island, the sea was high, which made landing impossible. We then
cruised round to a beautiful calm bay at Hokoromea Island where the snorkel and scuba brigade
splashed into the water. Those left on board had lunch. Tony Enderby was not diving, instead he
had a successful time fishing. Heather Smith was nursing an injured arm so was just enjoying the
view. The skipper offered to put me ashore, but the pennit was only for Burgess Island, so
reluctantly I had to refuse.

On returning toBurgess Island the skipper said that it was calmer, so he found a ledge where he
could land us from the inflatable. This team was Neville Hudson, Huia Paxton, Luen Jones, Chris
Home and me (Bmce Hazelwood). We were only given 45 minutes to do our collecting so we
climbed the steep bouldery cliff, then headed into low-lying pohutukawa scrub. Alison Stanes
tramped to the lighthouse, Bmce Hayward, Hugh Grenville and Shungo Kawagata enjoyed the
views. Neville, Huia, Luen, Chris and I each took a plastic bag and then took a sample from the

nearby vegetation. There was some drama when it was time to get off the island. The sea was now
swelling, so we had to count between swells, then scramble onto the inflatable. Most of us got wet!

Results

1) We found Willy Kushells’ new Punctid at all sites. It could be extremely common in the
Pohutukawa / Ngaio Belt. Limited numbers were found at 3 sites. Two of these could be due to
selection and collecting methods.

2) The sample collected from regenerating Flax was very poor, at this point in time. Future
collecting will track any recolonisation by our native snails at this sector of Burgess Island.

3) The Therasia nsp is establishing its position.

4) The Delos nsp seems distinct (very circular) however more specimens are required. These could
possibly be found in the gully covered in flax, which leads down to the shore.

1 wish to thank my helpers for their support.

Collecting Sites

1 ) Pohutukawa / Ngaio / small Coprosma (aff macrocarpa) / large rocks
(Pohutukawa - Ngaio Belt) B.F. Hazelwood 1 8/4/2004 S07/009858

2) small Pohutukawa / Hangehange / Coprosma (aff. macrocarpa)

(above Pohutukawa - Ngaio Belt) Huia Paxton 18/4/2004 S07/009858 - S07/01 0859

3) Pohutukawa / Ngaio / rocks / flax, Phormium tenax

(Pohutukawa / Ngaio Belt) Neville Hudson 18/4/2004 S07/009858 - S07/0 10859

4) Pohutukawa / Ngaio / Flax, Phormium tenax / Coprosma (aff macrocarpa) / Pimelea sp (aff urvilleana) -
icluded in P. prostrata and Flax at side of gully (upper Pohutukawa / Ngaio Belt)

Chris Horne 18/4/2004 S07/0 10858

5) Flax, Phormium tenax / Coprosma (aff macrocarpa) grass etc.
(Regenerating grassland) Luen Jones 18/4/2004 S07/010858 - S07/010859

Vegetation on Burgess Island (that we saw/)

Metrosideros excelsa
Myoporum laetum
Coprosma (aff macrocarpa)
Geniostoma rupestre
Pimelea (aff urvilleana)
Phormium tenax

Pohutukawa
Ngaio

Coprosma sp
Hangehange
Pimelea sp
Flax
grass
Note

Specimens of Coprosma(aff macrocarpa) that we observed, were generally very small.

The isopods of Burgess Island look similar but different to those from Leigh. Very different to
Waitakere and North Shore specimens.

Species List
Rissellopsis varia (marine)

Phrixgnathus nsp {aff conella) (very common) endemic Sp 2000: Punctid nsp
Therasia nsp (4 specimens) endemic
Delos nsp (1 specimen) endemic
Tornatellinops novoseelandica (a few)

Oxychilus alliarius (4 specimens) (introduced)

Literature

1994 Ian McFadden and Terry Greene
Science & Research Series No 70

Using Brodifacoum to Erradicate Kiore (Rattus exulans)

from Burgess Island and the Knights Group of the Mokohinau Islands

Head Office, D.O.C., PO Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand

1995 Anon.

Conserv'ation Management Strategy, for Auckland 1995 - 2005

24

Vol. 3. Auckland Conservancy, Conservation Managment Planning Series No 1,

Dept.of Conservation, Auckland.

Burgess Island Scenic Reserve Page 28
Mokohinau Islands Nature Reserve Page 1 74

Acknowledgments

for support. Museum of N.Z. Te Papa Tongarewa - Wellington
for support and information, Museum of N.Z. Te Papa Tongarewa,
Wellington

for support, 5 Imlay Cresent, Ngaio,Wellington
for permit to collect on Burgess Island and literature. Department of
Conservation, Auckland
for photographs of Burgess Island
for photographs of Hokoromea Island

Bruce Marshall
Dave Roscoe

Dr Frank Climo
Chris Greene

Alison Stanes
Luen Jones

Left; Inflatable boat at landing site on Burgess Island with Divercity charter boat in background.
Right: Bruce Hazelwood on Burgess Island.

25

Presumed Tonna cerevisina spawn

Margaret S. Morley

After a northerly gale on 26 June 2004, Andrew Crowe was fossicking on Waikawau Bay on
the north-east coast of Coromandel Peninsula (Fig. 1). His efforts were rewarded with several
empty tun shells, Tonna cerevisina and one with the animal still inside. Among the washed
up seaweed he noticed a tough, transparent, plastic-like strap 330 mm long, 80 mm wide and
3 mm thick. Under magnification it was clear that both ends of the strap were sealed so it
appeared that the strap was complete. When allowed to lie flat without tension it was shaped
like a collar (Fig. 2). The curving rows were composed of 30 to 40 capsules each with a
diameter of 2 mm, the capsules contained numerous pink eggs (Fig. 3). The strap, with its
enclosed capsules, resembled bubble wrap. Eager to find out what this was, he posted it to
me.

The intact, though rather sodden envelope, arrived safely. On close examination
under the microscope I could see that each sealed capsule contained fluid and about 100 oval
or round pink “eggs” closely arranged in a horseshoe-shaped coil. To my amazement most of
the “eggs” were still alive! I cut one capsule open in order to get a better view but still could
not see details. There were no structures such as a shell or eyes visible. The surface of the
veligers was pimpled and sparkled, with an aperture visible at one end. Short mouth parts like
tentacles emerged from the aperture and appeared to be exploring, or possibly eating, adjacent
eggs (Fig. 4). Some were extruding clear scintillating bubbles or maybe grains through the
mouth. The veligers were rotating causing a current and they had a tendency to clump
together. There appeared to be two or more narrow, transparent extensions, known as velum,
which created the movement.

26

Fig. 2 Spawn strap of Tonna cerevisina.
Length 330 mm, width 80 mm.

The veligers lived for 2 weeks in seawater getting slightly larger. Towards the end of
this time about 80% of the veligers died forming an amorphous mass. Although it was
difficult to see details, even under the microscope, I had the impression that those remaining
alive were feeding on the mass. If my observation is correct, this method of development has
been documented for other species, e.g. Haustrum scobina, previously Lepsiella scobina (Beu
2004, 213-216J. Morton (1967, p.l49) says most non-pelagic prosobranchs are fed on nurse
eggs which are enclosed in the same capsule but do not develop. Unfortunately at this point in
their development the veligers died.

Fig 3: Microscopic detail of a Fig 4: One veliger removed from capsule,
capsule. Diameter 2mm.

The spawn strap is in the marine collections of the Auckland War Memorial Museum
(AK 115248).

27

Discussion

Its shape suggests that it was laid in a semicircle attached to the substrate by the shorter edge
with the strap vertical in the water. The diameter would be about the same as the
circumference of the aperture of an adult Tonna cerevisina (Fig. 5). Polinices melanostomus
in the family Naticidae have been seen laying spawn in a circular coil around the edge of the
aperture of their shell in Aitutaki, Cook Islands (pers. obs.). Few gastropod molluscs are
large enough to have produced such a big spawn sheet. The following species can be
excluded: The egg capsules of molluscs in the family Ranellidae, such as Cabestana

spengleri, are well known. These are large capsules laid in leathery baskets which are
brooded by the parent (Graham 1941, pers. obs.). Another large gastropod, Penion sulcatus
lays large capsules attached together in a raised open-work cluster (Boswell, 1970). While
snorkelling in the Marlborough Sounds I watched an adult laying the egg cluster. It is
occasionally washed ashore. Although the spawn coils of the large nudibranch Archidoris
wellingtonensis have a similar arrangement of eggs in curved rows, the coils are softer and
layed in a spiral of ten turns (Graham, 1941, pers. obs.). Neither octopus nor squid lay a
spawn strap (Steve O’Shea pers. comm.).

Information about previous publications on Tonna cerevisina spawn or further suggestions for
identification will be welcome. In the mean time it is presumed to be the spawn of Tonna
cerevisina, since several adult specimens including a live one, were washed up in the same
place at the same time.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Andrew Crowe for his sharp-eyed collecting and giving me the opportunity to
examine the spawn; Todd Landers (Marine Department, Auckland War Memorial Museum)
for taking photographs which assisted drawing; Bruce Hayward for suggesting improvements
and formatting the article; Clare Hayward for scanning and preparing the figures and map;
and members of the Conchology Section for helping to determine the identity of the spawn.

References

Beu, A.G., 2004. Marine Mollusca of oxygen isotope stages of the last 2 million years in New
Zealand, Part 1: Revised generic positions and recognition of warm water and cool
water immigrants. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 34(2).

Boswell, J., 1970. Some Egg Capsules. Poirieria 5(3): 44.

Graham, D.G., 1941. Breeding Habits of Twenty-two species of Marine Mollusca.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 71(2): 152-159.
Morton, J.E., 1967. Molluscs. Hutchinson University Press 244 p.

Powell, A.W.B., 1987. Native Animals of New Zealand. Auckland Institute and Museum, 88
P-

Fig 5: Adult Tonna cerevisina. Height
157-230 mm.

Drawing by Powell (1987).

28

Distribution of Marine Molluscs along the Temperate and Cold
Water Regions of the Southern Ocean and Adjoining Zones.

by Zvi Orlin ( zviorlin@actcom.co.il ), Israel

Abstract

A list is presented of the recent taxa shared by the neighbouring regions of the Southern Ocean.
Differences are pointed out between the zones studied, and regions discussed.

Introduction

Noting during my collection of marine shells worldwide, that many taxa in the Southern
Hemisphere are found in regions widely separated, a special study was launched of the remote
regions in and around the Southern Ocean, concentrating on the following five regions:

1 . New Zealand - N. and S. Islands, including nearby offshore Islands, Kermadec 28° S.
Chatham, and the Antipodean Subantarctic Islands 50° S.

2. Australia - the temperate South Coast and overlap zones on the West coast from Shark
Bay 25° S. to the East coast at the N. border of N.S.W. 28° S. including Norfolk Island.

3. South Africa - the Temperate South coast from Margate 3 1 °S. to the West Coasts at
Swakopmund 28° S.

4. Magellanic Region - Southern Argentine, from Peninsula Valdez 42° S. to Ancud on
Chiloe Island 42° S. in Southern Chile, including the Falkland Islands.

5. Antarctica Region - the Antarctic Continent and islands of the Southern Ocean south of
50° S. but including Kerguelen, Crozet and Prince Edward Islands.

The borders of the regions were determined mainly by the sources of information - see
References.

A high degree of Endemism is found in the above regions: New Zealand heads the list with 76%,
South Africa 52%, in the Magellanic Region of 627species recorded by D.O.Forcelli, 35% are
endemics; for Australia no detailed information has been released so far, but after personal
communications with the authors: of F.E. Wells’ 671 species described of West Australian shells
about 40% are endemic to Australia, and of P. Jansen’s 414 species described of South-East
Australian shells about 80% are endemic to Australia, these are only partial and preliminary
figures; regarding the Antarctic Region, according to the best of my knowledge, no final figures
are available.

Owing to the high degree of Endemism, shared species of these five regions are not too common,
so the generic level was also noted. These genera are usually found largely in the regions noted,
with some spreading into adjoining regions, and most of their species are endemic, in the regions
in which they are found.

Results

Summing up the results, 176 families shared species and genera in the different regions:

Australia

New Zealand

Magellanic

Antarctic

South Africa

Australia

108sp., 157genera

8sp., 71 genera

2sp., 52genera

21sp., 38genera

New Zealand

108sp., 157genera

23sp., 95genera

lOsp., 73genera

19sp., 40genera

jMagellanic

8sp., 71 genera

23sp., 95genera

1 OOsp., 32genera

7sp., 22genera

Antarctic

2sp., 52genera

lOsp., 73genera

1 OOsp., 32genera

5sp., Hgenera

South Africa

21sp., 38genera

1 9sp., 40genera

7sp., 22genera

5sp., Mgenera

29

Discussion

According to these results, geographic proximity is of primary importance in determining this
distribution. Species similarity usually decreases with geographical distance and is influenced by
dispersal limitation. Climatic conditions are an additional important factor, especially in regions
where successive Ice Ages are predominant, like the Magellanic and Antarctic Regions and New
Zealand. Such changes no doubt effected the evolution and survival of many taxa. Prevailing
ocean currents may also be a contributory factor, with the continuous West Wind Drift encircling
the globe in the Southern Hemisphere, reaching the regions in this survey, especially for free
swimming larv'al stages of development of some taxa. Hopefully more research will follow in
recording the extent of these migrations. Man is the fourth factor affecting distribution, and is
becoming increasingly important, both with his effect on the environment, and the wide range of
his vessels crossing the oceans, in increasing numbers; also his deliberate introduction of species
for commercial reasons, and the occasional transfer for study purposes, which by mistake or
inadvertently are released to the environment.

Australia and New Zealand , only separated by the Tasman Sea, have the greatest affinity
according to the shared number of taxa shown in the subsequent list, and are influenced by all
four of the above factors. The reason for this largest number of shared taxa, is that both reach
into lower latitudes, and subsequently into more favourable climatic conditions. Likewise the
Magellan and Antarctic Regions, separated by the Drake Passage, are even closer together, and
are also affected by all four factors. Worthy of note is the unusual fact, that the shared species of
the latter 2 regions are more than double than the shared genera (100 species to 32 genera). In
all other zones the number of genera far exceeds the number of species, owing to the eventual
evolution of endemic species in many genera. This is due to the relative closer proximity, and
more similar climatic conditions. South Africa is the odd one out; surrounded by vast expanses
of oceans of thousands of kilometers between it and the other continental regions, its molluscan
fauna is more linked to the African countries north, with relatively fewer shared taxa than the
other regions in this study.

Perhaps the most interesting fact, is the high number of shared taxa between the Magellanic
Region and New Zealand, despite the tremendous distance betu^een them. This may be partly
accounted for by the relative proximity in former geological eras, when they were in close
proximity, prior to extensive continental plate drift. We must however take into account, that
during those geological eras, both South Africa and Australia were also near the present
Magellanic Region; this stresses the importance of climatic factors, as the latter’s climates are
currently more diverse, as they drifted further north from Antarctica. This subject is better left for
the Paleobiogeographers, and their findings will be welcomed.

Remarks

.An endeavor has been made to relate to species and genera of largely temperate and cold water
regions, but this is to some degree subjective and depends on the sources of information used, of
which mine are regrettably incomplete; many of the cosmopolitan species or genera were not
included, as they were considered predominantly tropical and subtropical in distribution. It must
be remembered however that the temperature of the oceans varies in depth, and therefore some
of the species or genera found in subtropical or tropical regions, at the edge of, or below the
continental shelf, may well live in temperate or cold water habitats. Some of the taxa are also
found in temperate and cold water regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and it is considered that
these northern genera include many bipolar taxa in the regions of discussion, especially in the
Magellanic and Antarctic Regions.

30

Most of the taxa in the list were found mainly in 2 regions only, but 16sp.and 70 genera were
found in 3 regions, and even less are found in 4 or 5 regions. Altogether 450 taxa appear in the
list, yet relatively few are found in more than 2 regions; this seems typical of temperate and cold
water habitats, that limit distribution, owing to more adverse climatic conditions. In contrast, in
tropical and subtropical habitats, distribution is far wider, often extending from island to island,
or along continental coasts, over 1 or 2 oceans. For example, over 200species found along South
Africa’s subtropical east coast, are also found in the Red Sea, at the northern end of the Indian
Ocean, and many hundreds of other species are also found scattered over the tropical Indo-
Pacific Ocean.

Owing to the differences of opinions between Taxonomists, in some cases alternative names are
used for the same genera, occasionally subgenera names are elevated to genera level; in these
cases the alternatives have been inserted in parenthesis. Some subfamilies have also been
elevated to family level, but the reasons are still being debated, and often the changes are
reverted.

This as a preliminary survey, which will hopefully be followed by more detailed studies, and the
publication of additional information. The main purpose of this article, is to draw attention to
some of the remotest regions of our planet, with their biodiversity in molluscs, and the affinity of
these regions in shared taxa.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank: Bruce Marshall of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, for
reading the draft of this article, and adding valuable additional information and suggestions;
Robert Lynch of the Royal Society of New Zealand, for granting Copyright permission for the
use of a copy of the location map from one of their Bulletins, which appears in this article; Henk
Mienis for his assistance in placing at my disposal, all the relevant literature available in the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem libraries, and Dr. Ilan Karplus of the Volcani Institute in
Rehovot, and my colleague Shai Shafir of the staff of Oranim University, for suggesting some
important changes which helped improve the context.

References

BARNARD K.H., 1963. Deep-sea Mollusca from the Region South of Madagascar. Division of
Sea Fisheries Investigation Report no. 44: 1-19.

BEESLEY P.L., ROSS GJ.B. & WELLS A. (eds), 1998. Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis,
Fauna of Australia, Vol. 5 (Parts A. & B.) Csiro Publishing House, Melbourne. 1234 pp.

DELL R.K., 1990, Antarctic Mollusca: with special reference to the fauna of the Ross Sea.
Royal Society of New Zealand Bulletin Series 27: 1-311.

FORCELLI D.O., 2000. Molluscos Magallanicos, Guia de Molluscos de Patagonia y Sur de
Chile. Vasquez Mazzini Editores, Beunos Aires. 200pp.

GIBBONS M.J. et al. 1999. The taxonomic richness of South Africa’s marine fauna : a crisis at
hand. South African Journal of Science 95: 9-12.

GOSLINER T.M., 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Africa, A Guide to Opisthobranch Molluscs
of Southern Africa. Sea Challengers & J.Hamann in Association with the California Academy of
Sciences, Monterrey. 136pp.

GOTTING K.J.,1989. Los Poliplacoforos de las Regiones Antarcticas y Subantarcticas. Medio
Ambiente 10(2):54-60

HERBERT D.G, 1992, 1993. Revision of Trochidae. Annals of Natal Museum, 33(2):379-459,
34(2):239-308.

31

HERBERT D.G 1986. A Revision of the southern African Scissurellidae. Ann. Natal Mus.,
27(2): 601-632.

JANSEN P., 2000. Seashells of South-East Australia, Capricomica Publications, Lindfield
NSW. 118pp.

JONKERS H.A., 2003. Late Cenozoic to Recent Pectinidae of the Southern Ocean &
Neighboring Regions. Monographs of Marine Mollusca No. 5 Backhuys Publishers, Leyden.
KILBURN R.N., 1983-1995. Turridae of Southern Africa & Mozambique Parts 1-7. Ann. Natal
Museum.

KILBURN R.N.,1985. The Family Epitoniidae in Southern Africa & Mozambique.Ann. Natal
Mus. 27(1)239-337.

LAMPRELL K. & HEALY J., 1998. Bivalves of Australia Vol.2. Backhuys Publishers,
Leyden. 288pp.

LAMPRELL K. & WHITEHEAD T.1992. Bivalves of Australia Vol.l. Crawford House Press,
Bathurst. 182pp.

LINSE K., 2002. Shelled Magellanic Mollusca: with Special Reference to Biogeographical
Relations in the Southern Ocean (Appendix: Species List & Biogeographic Database).Koeltz
Scientific Books, Germany. 252pp.

SCHRODL M., 2003. Sea Slugs of Southern South America. Conchbooks, Hackenheim,
Germany. 165pp.

SPENCER H.G, WILLAN R.C., MARSHALL B.A. & MURRAY T.J. 2002. Checklist of the
Recent Mollusca Described from the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone. University of
Otago, Dunedin; Museums & Art Galleries of the Northern Territory,Darwin;Museum of New
Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.! 16pp.
http://toroa.otago.ac.nz/pubs/spencer/Molluscs/index.html

STEYN D.G.«& LUSSI M.,1998. Marine Shells of South Africa. Ekogilde Publishers,
Hartebeespoort. 264pp.

WELLS F.E. & BRYCE C.W., 2000. Seashells of Western Australia. Western Australian
Museum, Perth. 207pp.

WILSON B., 1993,1994. Australian Marine Shells. Odyssey Publishers, Kallaroo.Vol.l : 408pp.,
Vol.2: 370pp.

VOSS GL., 1988. The Biogeography of the Deep-sea Octopoda. Malacologia 29(1): 295-307.
BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY. Southern Ocean Mollusc Data Base (SOMBASE). Updated
January 2004.

wA\^^antarctica.ac.uk/^AS Science/Programmes?ABPPF/SOMBASE/Bivalve species/species

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40

Tributes to Joan Coles
1915-2004

Past President and Life Member

This was one of the tributes at Joan's funeral. We thought
that we knew the conchologist and naturalist side of Joan's
life, and it would be interesting to see her professional life. 1
don't know Avril's other name, I always knew her as Avril.
She had the advantage, having Joan's phone book.

When I first started at St Helens as a student midwife in
1969, she was Miss Coles, the “Matron” and has remained
Miss Coles, a friend. She retired in 1970, but remained very
much a part of St Helens and was always a special guest at
any of our anniversaries, she was the Matriarch.

She loved her flowers and her Christmas lilies were a floral
feature in the main foyer at St Helens each year for the
Christmas carol evening. Some of those lilies are still in her
garden. She always loved picking her flowers as soon as they bloomed, she got such pleasure from
having them inside and visible, rather than outside where she had to go out to see them.

In 1995, a group from St Helens were there among others to help celebrate her 80'^ birthday and
from there a close association developed. The day after her 83^** birthday she tripped over the lead of
the electric blanket and landed in Middlemore Hospital with a broken hip. From her hospital bed
she could give directions where to find anything she wanted, since being so well organised, she
knew where everything was kept and it would be there. She was back driving in six weeks, though
she’d have been behind the wheel sooner had she been allowed.

Birthday 84 produced a pulmonary embolism and a quick trip to Auckland Hospital by ambulance,
but being the resilient lady she was, she was soon out and about again, busy with church duties, and
visiting those friends less mobile than she was. That is, as soon as she’d finished the Herald
crossword each morning.

Just after her 86‘*' Birthday, she flew to Wellington to the Centennial celebration for the Registration
of Nurses, held in Parliament’s Great Hall.

That was the last of her trips outside Auckland, but she still traversed Auckland, including to the
Henderson tip, since her green garden bin was always overflowing. These trips were so frequent she
must have had a concession ticket.

She was always a keen attender of St Helen’s reunion dinner after its closure in 1990, this last year
was the only time where she felt unable to cope with a late meal and evening. She was starting to
slow down.

Having made three Christmas cakes each year, the Shell Club one for many years, last year was to
be the last time.

This amazing lady had many interests and retained so many connections over the years. Her
memory was wonderful and she could name staff from years back and tell you whom they had
married and how many children, too.

Professionally, Miss Coles was greatly respected by all who knew her. Ever>' year she attended
Auckland Girls Grammar Old Girls lunch and she kept her interest in the Auckland Hospital Nurses
Assn. These and others like the Conchology Club and Forest and Bird, she was involved with to the
end.

She will be missed by many.

41

Dear Joan,

] have vivid memories of a ride in your car to a club trip to the Coromandel Peninsula.
This was soon after I joined the Conchology Section in 1979 when I did not know any
common shell names, let alone the scientific ones. At the time. Dr Powell’s book
New Zealand Mollusca had just been published to much rejoicing by members,
because all the names and descriptions were at last in one volume. Anyhow, on this
trip, I had to balance Powell’s book on my lap and quiz you on all the name changes
while you were driving! My stumbling pronunciation was cause for much mirth. You
took me to many extra beaches on the way back to show me what to look for and to
learn the shells’ names.

Ore of your favourite stories concerned another club trip to an island south of Kawau.
You explained to new members that the trumpet shell, Charonia lampas lived under
ledges at low tide. To illustrate the point, you bent down to feel under a ledge where
you were standing, to your amazement (and everyone else’s) there was the shell! This
incident gave you quite a reputation.

Lunches at your place were a delicious treat of home baking, I especially liked the
grainy wholemeal loaf The recipe came from Houhora in the days when there were
no roads, so all bread had to be home baked. There was no kneading required.

Trays entered at many Shell Shows were often on interesting themes. I remember one
you entered in the educational class showing specimens of the turban shell, Cookia
sulcata collected on a voyage by Captain Cook.

Tucked away under the house, your shell room held many carefully catalogued
specimens, both from New Zealand and overseas. Some trays were self-collected in
New Hebrides and New Caledonia during trips with the Conchology Section. Visitors
never left empty handed, but always carried away a gift to add to their own collection.
Despite reminders, they often took away a bump on their head as well from the low
doorway!

Whenever help was needed to track dowm specific shells needed for science, you were
always keen to assist and often gave away the specimen required. Sometimes your
large library also produced answers. I treasure a book you gave me on Campbell
Isl and.

You deserved more than the one Life Membership for all the years of work and
contributions to the Shell Club, including many years on the committee and as
President. There was also much patience required when dealing with the
temperamental gestetner to produce newsletters. For over 40 years we enjoyed your
annual Christmas cake carefully decorated with reindeer and Poiheria shells.

We shall all miss your cheery smile, positive attitude, and expertise in the world of
molluscs.

Love,

Margaret

42

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POIRIERIA

Auckland Museum
Conchology Section

Volume 32, October 2006

ISSN 0032-2377

CONTENTS

P. 1 Conchology Section, 75“* Celebrations

P. 3 Short Note - Field Trip to Torpedo Bay, Devonport
by Margaret S. Morley

P. 4 Seventy-five Jubilations in Northland

by Margaret S. Morley and Heather D. Smith

P.17 Spirits Bay

by Margaret S. Morley

P.20 The Twin Halves Story
by Heather D. Smith

P.21 A New Shell for Kaikoura

by Bev Elliott

P. 22 A Chlamys from Moeraki
by Jim Rumball

P . 24 Molluscs and ostracods in a tidal transect from Whangapoua Estuary, Coromandel
Peninsula

by Margaret S. Morley and Bruce W. Hazelwood

P. 34 The Original Shell Collector -The Carrier Shell

by Tony and Jenny Enderby

P. 36 Maori Beach, Stewart Island
by Bev Elliott

"Poirieria" is the journal of a private club which is closely associated with the Auckland Museum
Institute.

Reference copies of "Poirieria" are held in the General Library of The Auckland War Memorial
Museum and in the Natural History Library located in the Museum's Natural History Gallery.

We welcome contributions on suitable topics, typed if possible, using Times New Roman 12pt, with
titles 16pt bold, and author 14pt bold. Your co-operation will help keep the appearance of our
journal consistent. If a photo is to be included please allow an appropriate space in the text. A
printed copy on A4 paper should be sent to: Jenny and Tony Enderby, PO Box 139, Leigh 0947,
New Zealand.

Subscription to "Poirieria" is by membership of the Conchology Section Auckland Museum
Institute (CSAMI).

All correspondence regarding membership, change of address, distribution queries, back issues, etc.
should go to; The Secretary, Private Bag 92018, Auckland, New Zealand.

Conchology Section 75th Celebrations
September 16-18 2005

The efforts of every body involved in the 75th celebrations were truly rewarded with such a
successful weekend. THANKYOU to the team of Margaret Morley, Betty Headford, Glenys Stace,
Gladys Goulstone and Nancy Smith for their hard work and to all those who made contributions in
various ways.

Judging by the noise on Friday evening at the Epsom Community Centre everyone had a great time.
Old friends were reunited, shells were sold and swapped, stories unfolded and photos confimied
many exciting expeditions.

Saturday morning a number of people visited and viewed shell collections at Heather Smiths’ and
Peter Poortmans’. By lunchtime some keen members joined Margaret Morley and Dr. Richard
Willan at Torpedo Bay and made the most of a really low tide.

Saturday evening at the museum began with wine and a delicious supper prepared by Rosa Tyson.
Rodney Wilson CEO of the Auckland War Memorial Museum gave us an update on the progress of
the Museum alterations. Dr. Leslie Newman curator of the Marine Dept, thanked members of our
club who work tirelessly as volunteers in the Dept. Dr. Ken Grange opened up a new world for us in
his presentation “Technology Advances in Sampling our Coastal Environmenf’. The animated trip
under the sea around Cook Strait and Wellington Harbour took us where we are most unlikely ever
to go!! This was followed by a stunning Power Point Memorabilia Presentation put together by
Betty Headford.

Sunday morning saw some of us up with the birds being guided around the museum collection with
Margaret, Glenys and Dr. Richard Willan. Lunch was shared by many members at The Epsom
Community Centre. Dr Richard Willan presentated “Nudibranchs as a Sentinel of Global
Warming.” What an informative, thought provoking, visual presentation this was. We were
honoured to have Prof. John Morton and Noel Gardner cut the delicious 75th cake (baked by Rosa
Tyson.) Prof. Grant-Mackie auctioned 12 lots of Joan Coles shells. This was followed by a very
entertaining and noisy Multi Draw raffle. What a great weekend!

Monday morning saw three vehicles headed north to Houhora and a visit to the Grange’s. Maria
Van Diemen didn’t yield any great finds but Spirits Bay had a huge wash up - and scallops in large
quantities were enjoyed for the next few days. The most exciting finds were a Semicassis sophia at
Spirits Bay and a rare slug, Melanochlamys lorrainae at Paua. Both discoveries were made by
Margaret Morley who froze her slug and cuddled and protected her Semicassis sophia all the way
back to Auckland!!

We were honoured to have so many people who travelled vast distances to celebrate our 75 th
Anniversary: Dr. Richard Willan from Darwin (who remind me that he is a NZER) Ena Coucom
from Yeppoon, Queensland, Jack Austin from Philip Is. Victoria, Dr. Ken Grange from Nelson,
Jenny Raven, Pat Lakeman and Kris Wood from Wellington, Bob and Betty Grange from Houhora,
Derrick and Anne Crosby from Whakatane, Ann Randall from Mt. Maunganui, Gwenda Henderson
and Shirley Osborne from Whangarei. What a tribute to have our Patron Prof. John Morton with us
and to see some of the more long standing members: Noel Gardner, Olive Snook, Derek Lamb,
Anne Randall, Alan Peterson and Rae Sneddon, And of course, all our Auckland members from
every corner of our city: Leigh, Orewa, Oratia, Titirangi, Bucklands Beach, Pakuranga, Albany,
Papatoetoe, Takanini, Howick, Kaukapakapa, and many more suburbs. Great to see Dr. Bruce
Hayward, Jenny and Tony Enderby, Mike and Val Hart, Lynette Hellyar, Martin Walker and Tim
Saunders.

53 people in all attended our celebrations.

Sunday get together at the Epsom Community Centre

Club Patron, Prof. John Morton and
Noel Gardner with the 75th
Celebration cake made by Rosa Tyson

Rae Sneddon, Margaret Morley
and Olive Snook

Pat Lakeman, Kris Woods, Heather Smith
and Jenny Raven

2

Short Note

A field trip to Torpedo Bay, Devonport on September 17 2005 was included in the
75th celebrations. We all had an enjoyable search among the low tide rocks,
especially as Richard Willan was present to share his expertise. The most notable
finds were two living murex Muricopsis octogonus spotted among rocks and seaweed
at low tide by Pat Lakeman and Kris Woods from Wellington. While this species
could be found occasionally around the Auckland Harbour in the past it had gradually
died out by 1995 (pers. obs.) due to the biocide tributyltin (TBT) in antifouling paint
(Scott 1993). This poison changes females into males and males themselves become
impotent.

These are the first living specimens seen since their demise. Hopefully now that the
use of TBT paint is illegal the murex are starting to make a comeback.

Reference

Scott, I.R. 1993 The effects of tributyltin upon New Zealand neogastropods and the
impact the partial ban has had on its usage. Unpublished Msc thesis. University of
Auckland.

Margaret Morley

Members and Guests who attended the weekend of 75*'’ celebrations

16-18 September 2006

Austin Jack

Brissolles Michael

Morley Margaret

Bycroft Barbara

Morton John (Patron)

Coucom Ena

Newman Leslie

Crosby Ann

Osborne Shirley

Crosby Derrick

Peterson Alan

Enderby Jenny

Poortman Peter

Enderby Tony

Randall Anne

Gardner Noel

Randall Kevin

Goulstone Gladys

Raven Jenny

Grange Betty

Riley Jenny (nee Oates)

Grange Bob

Saunderson Tim

Grange Ken

Smith Heather

Grant-Mackie Jack

Smith Nancy

Hart Mike

Sneddon Rae

Hart Val

Snook Doug

Hayward Bruce

Snook Judith

Hazelwood Bruce

Snook Olive

Headford Betty

Stace Glenys

Hellyar Lynette

Thompson Fiona

Henderson Gwenda

Tyson Rosa

Horne Chris

Walker Martin

Hudson Neville

Warwick Christine (nee Grange)

Jones Luen

Willan Richard

Lakeman Pat

Wilson Rodney

Lamb Derek

Woods Kris

3

Seventy-five Jubilations in Northland

Margaret S. Morley and Heather D. Smith

Introduction

When dates were first considered for the celebration of the 75th jubilee of the
Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum Institute we were keen to coincide with
spring tides. This gave an opportunity to include field trips over the weekend itself and a
longer visit to the far north the following week. In the event we only managed to fit in
the day visit to Torpedo Bay on the Saturday, having to cancel the trip to Maori Bay on
the Sunday because of gale force winds. It was no great hardship to stay at Epsom and
eat cake instead! As it turned out these ferocious winds were to be of great benefit later.

To make the most of the 0.2 m tides eight members left Auckland early Monday
morning, September 19 2005; Glenys Stace drove her van with Betty Headford, Fiona
Thompson and her Australian visitor Jack Austin. Heather Smith and her twin sister
Alison Stanes traveled in their motor home with guest Margaret Morley, Lynette Hellyar
accompanied the second group in her own motor home. Our itineraries were somewhat
independent (Fig. 1), but we all enjoyed the hospitality of Bob and Betty Grange at
Houhora on our way to and from the north. The view across the wide sweep of Houhora
Harbour from the Granges’ conservatory, further enhanced by a rainbow, made you plan
to leave Auckland for good!

A species list has been compiled of the various beach walks and snorkel. The
emphasis is mainly on molluscs, a total of 265 species (8 chitons, 177 gastropods, 76
bivalves, 1 scaphopod and 3 cephalopods) were observed. With more time available
additional species could be added by detailed searches at high tide, plus algal and rock
washes for microscopic shells. Other phyla are recorded as they were encountered.

The introduced parchment worm Chaetopterus sp. and bivalves Musculista
senhousia and Myochama tasmanica are recorded from Rangiputa, Rangaunu Harbour.

Recent mollusc name changes are listed at the end.

Cape

Reinqa Spirits
Bay

Parengarenga Harbour

Great Exhibition
Bay

Fig. 1. Map of Northland sites visited, September 19-27 2005.

4

Houhora Heads

Although there was a substantial wash up at Houhora Heads it appeared to be quite old.
Best finds were brightly coloured pink and purple dog cockles Tucetona laticostata,
beaded top shells Calliostoma punctulatum and knobbed whelks Austrofusus glans. As
is often the case, Tonna cerevisina was only represented by pieces. Only the most
dedicated collectors persevere in such cold squally winds and sand tornadoes.

Rarawa

The sea had a tropical look with layers of deep blue blending to greens and turquoise.
The graveyard around the rocky headland had a wide range of mollusc species though
the majority had some damage. After much looking among the drifts of wheel shells
Zethalia zelandica some good specimens were found of the volute Alcithoe
haurakiensis, large wentletraps Boreoscala zelebori, trumpet shells Ranella australasia
and Cymatium parthenopeum. Bivalve species included fan shells Talochlamys
zelandiae and pairs of lace cockles Divalucina cumingi. Heather and Alison continued
on round the rocks to Great Exhibition Bay but reported clean sands.

Paua, Parengarenga Harbour

A snorkel had been planned by the wharf which previously has been very exciting with
live bubble shells Bullina lineolata, Hydatina physis, whelks Nassarius spiratus, beaded
top shells Calliostoma punctulatum and C. tigris, nudibranchs Chromodoris
aureomarginata and Ceratosoma amoena. However conditions on arrival were
atrocious, the gale force westerlies creating short choppy waves hell-bent on churning
up the silt. A walk across the sand flats was deemed a slightly better option.

Much of the sea grass Zostera between the cliffs and Dog Island has
disappeared, though this may be due to seasonal changes. Some cockles Austrovenus
stutchburyi, were still present but were smaller and in lower numbers than remembered
from earlier visits, possibly the result of a period of commercial harvesting about fifteen
years ago.

Other molluscs living on the sand and Zostera flats were sparse only one
specimen of Cymatium parthenopeum, a few Ranella australasia and low numbers of
white bubble shells Haminoea zelandiae seen. Living, dying and dead feathery sea hares
Bursatella leachii were common. Beds of pipi Paphies australis are present near Dog
Island (Bob Grange pers. comm.) Fiona had a special find of a rare gastropod Sassia
parkinsonia around the margin of Dog Island (Fig. 2). Empty pairs of the razor mussel
Solemya parkinsonii lay on the surface near low tide.

At low tide 0.2 m it was tempting to retreat out of the howling wind and sand
flurries but our patience was rewarded when molluscs emerged from the sand as the tide
began to flow back in. There were a few small olives Amalda australis, followed by two
white muscular slugs Philine angasi, then a 20 mm very mucousy opisthobranch slug,
like Melanochlamys cylindrica but pale instead of black. The details of this rare M.
lorrainae are being studied for a future publication. This species has a small, frail
internal shell.

Tokerau

Finds here included granose turban Modelia granosa, opal top shell Cantharidus opalus
and large trophon Xymene ambiguus.

5

Fig. 2. Some special finds. Drawings by Margaret Morley and Powell (1979).

At the northern end were many washed up shells stained black e.g. speckled
whelk Cominella adspersa, ringed dosinia Dosinia anus. The spire and body whorl of
ostrich foot shells Struthiolaria papulosa were black but had a contrasting white
aperture.

The Mother of all wash ups at Spirits Bay

The northerly gales of the previous week resulted in a spectacular wash up on Spirits
Bay. Four of us in the motor homes arrived late in the evening. A speedy rush across the
sand dunes to the beach confirmed an exciting array of live scallops Pecten
novaezelandiae, just in time for tea! Also numerous were live, long trough shells
Oxyperas elongata on the tide line towards Pananehe Island, their thick siphon tips are
reddish pink. At first light the next morning a search turned up some treasures around
the island.

Cape Maria van Diemen

Despite our energetic morning at Spirits Bay Alison, Heather and Margaret parked by
the Cape Reinga lighthouse to walk the track to Cape Maria. There is a steep descent to
Te Werahi Beach, a walk to the western end, then a climb over sand hills and back down
to Cape Maria. Plenty of the protected Holocene fossil flax snails Placostylus

6

ambagiosus lay exposed or weathering out of the sand dunes. We did have a short rain
squall but clear blue skies dominated the day. Magnificent coastal views more than
made up for the lack of shells on the beach, though Heather was pleased to find a
keyhole limpet Monodilepas diemenensis and a rather worn tusk shell Fissidentalium
zelandicum. The total walk was about 1 1 km.

Spirits Bay again

An uncontested change of plan saw the motor homes return to Spirits Bay. The wash up
had continued and now extended about one kilometre west towards the centre of Spirits
Bay. More scallops were added to the bulging bags, swiftly followed volutes, the
depressa form of Alcithoe arabica. There were so many we were able to choose the best,
but despite having the animal still inside, few had intact protoconchs. The long joined
siphons of geoducks Panopea zelandica protruded from their valves, these were often
damaged where gulls had pecked to get at the animal. Large specimens of purple fan
shells Talochlamys zelandiae were in perfect condition embedded in sponge. The
interior of the dog cockle Tucetona laticostata valves were home to purple tinted slipper
shells Sigapatella tenuis measuring up to 30 mm in diameter.

Many big, bright red hermits peered out from large gastropod shells. Metre wide
swathes of grass green seaweed Caulerpa brownii lay prostrate on the sand. Amongst all
the variety of debris other surprises emerged e.g. a pair of purple wavy fan shells
Mesopeplum convexum, a live helmet shell Semicassis labiatum, one intact Tonna
ceresvisina. With the evidence of extensive offshore sponge gardens it seemed a likely
place to find an Umbraculum but success was celebrated prematurely on finding a
nudibranch Doris wellingtonensis. Several large oar stars Ophiopsammus maculata,
with a diameter of 30 cm, suffered arm damage during their wild ride ashore.

Margaret was delighted to uncover from a pile of seaweed and sponges a
specimen of the rare helmet shell Semicassis sophia (Fig. 2). It was in good condition
only recently vacated by a hermit crab. This species is also known from Australia. Later
we saw in Bob Grange’s collection a whole row of them including one washed in alive
at Rarawa!

A multitude of vivid sponges came in colours of scarlet, purple, orange and
yellow, some the size of washing up bowls or the purple finger species up to 40 cm
long. Long specimens of organ pipe sponge decorated both large rocks and upper
scallop valves. Big pink Balanus barnacles were still alive attached to dead shells. Also
common were beautiful delicate tunicates, hydroids, bryozoans and red algae.

It was inevitable that we picked up far too much, the bags rapidly became
heavier and heavier. None was left behind though! It seemed a long way back to the
motor home across soft sand. The rest of that morning was spent cleaning shells and
packing (Fig 3). The motor home rear locker became perilously overloaded!

The Bluff and Te Paki stream mouth

Two brief visits by the two groups found the west coast unproductive and extremely
wind blown. The only shells washed in were single bivalves.

Kaimaumau

A pleasant walk on firm white sand towards the heads of Rangaunu Harbour gave plenty
to look at on the tide line. Most interesting were large numbers of Xymene ambiguus,
some with egg cases attached to the male shells, Cymatium parthenopeum, Ranella
australasia and Charonia lampas.

7

Fig. 3 Heather Smith cleaning shells at Spirits Bay.

Karikari Beach

The twins hoped to ride their bikes along the sand but unfortunately the erosion of the
sand dunes by the sea had created a 3m drop off to the beach. Although they could
remember this beach as a rich area previously, on this occasion there was little of note. <

Mangonui- Butlers Point Whaling Museum

A morning spent here was most enjoyable. We were impressed with the dedication of
the owners to their whaling boat, Butlers’ house and colonial history so well displayed.

The carefully tended garden was dominated by a magnolia tree 160 years old and one of
the biggest pohutukawa in New 2^aland. We admired views of Mangonui Harbour from
the adjacent pa site.

Coopers Beach

It was noted that the oyster borer Haustrum scobina is in high numbers and that all the
oysters examined were the endemic Saccostrea glomerata. Over fifty relatively
common molluscs were collected from the tide line (see species list). Heather plans to
produce a comprehensive list from Coopers Beach in a future issue. '

Rangiputa, Rangaunu Harbour from Gillies Road. Evidence for leathery
tubeworm Chaetopterus; and bivalves Musculista senhousia and Myochama
tasmanica

A complete, freshly dead specimen of the Asian mussel Musculista senhousia suggests a
population is nearby.

Evidence of another invader, probably in the Rangaunu channel, was the leathery
tubes of the polychaete worm Chaetopterus sp. Attached was a single right valve of
Myochama tasmanica (Fig. 2), an unexpected bonus, not found until after the trip. The
type specimen comes from Tasmania. It is known from Parengarenga Harbour in 6 m

8

(Powell 1979), Bay of Islands (Morley and Hayward 1999), Poor Knights Islands and
Medlands, Great Barrier Island (MM coll.). Maximum measurements given by Powell
(1979) are width 14 mm height 12 mm, the Rangiputa specimen exceeds these with a
width 20 mm and height 16 mm.

At the head of the harbour among the mangroves were pockets of washed up
shells. Oysters living on the mangrove trunks and branches were all Crassostrea gigas.

Rangiputa snorkel

Margaret’s careful reconnoitre of the rocky point as the sun went down showed an
opportunity to snorkel during low tide at first light in the morning. Timing was critical
because there are strong tidal rips close to the shore. The results of this dawn effort
exceeded expectations, visibility was about 5 m. An unusual feature was a great
profusion of sponges living near the surface thriving in the strong currents and lack of
silt. Some of the purple finger sponges were half a metre long. Two, hoary old trumpet
shells Cabestana spengleri and large chitons Eudoxochiton nobilis were attached to the
rocks in depths of 3 m.

A chocolate brown and cream nudibranch Aphelodoris luctuosa was crawling
exposed on rocks near its 60 mm diameter peachy spawn coil. The current swirled
masses of large, empty Chaetopterus sp. tubes into the subtidal hollows.

Two parore, a large shoal of mullet, and another of koheru, a plankton feeding
fish that swims in dense shimmering shoals, came to investigate the intruder. The
brown algae were decorated with several bunches of squid eggs. Patches of green algae
Caulerpa brownii waved attractively in the current. Huge sheets of ruby-red Gigartina
competed for space, kelp Ecklonia radiata had luxuriant fronds. The well named comb
star Austropecten polycanthus was hunting across the rocks.

One could become quite addicted to the five star luxury at Lyn’s motor home
after the snorkel, which comprised of a hot shower, tea and toasted crumpets!

Taupiri

True to form the fine wash up among rocks contained some northern species. Heather
found her first Mitra carbonaria, though she passed over a patterned pair of Gomphina
maoria found by Margaret (Fig. 2).

Bland Bay

Several rows of wash up at the northern end were worthy of detailed inspection, so
much so that Lyn lay down to get a better view, much to the curiosity of the locals!
Wentletraps Epitonium minora and Boreoscala zelebori were present in high numbers
some still alive. Other small prizes included Pupa kirki, Notocochlis migratoria,
Mesoginella koma, Cylichna thetidus, Trivia merces and Eatoniella flammulata.
Unfortunately the specimens of Pictobalcis articulata and Nassarius aoteanus were
incomplete. When shell sand was put under the microscope at home a rare
micromollusc Naricava neozelanica was discovered (MM, Fig. 2).

Conclusion

Let’s not wait for the Conchology Section centenary before we go again!

9

Name changes
Previous name
Gastropods

Archidoris wellingtonensis
Cirsotrema zelebori
Crepidula monoxyla
Gadinia nivea
Haloginella mustelina
Lepsiella scobina
Marginella pygmaea
Marginella valei
Marginella vidae
Natica migratoria
Nodilittorina antipodum
Zegalerus tenuis
Bivalves
Bassina yatei
Divaricella huttoniana
Periploma angasi
Saccostrea cucullata
Tellina edgari

Updated name

Doris wellingtonensis
Boreoscala zelebori
Maoricrypta monoxyla
Trimusculus conicus
Serrata mustelina
Haustrum scobina
Mesoginella koma
Mesoginella valei
Cystiscus vidae
Notocochlis migratoria
Austrolittorina antipodum
Sigapatella tenuis

Circomphalus yatei
Divalucina cumingi
Offadesma angasi
Saccostrea glomerata
Tellinota edgari

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Betty and Bob Grange for their hospitality at Houhora, Alison Stanes for

travel in the motor home and accommodation at Coopers Beach, Fiona Thompson and

Lyn Hellyar for additions to the species list, Ashwaq Sabaa for scanning the figures and

Bruce Hayward for formatting the article.

References

Beu, A.G. 2004. Marine Mollusca of oxygen isotope stages of the last 2 million years in
New Zealand Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 34: 213-216.

Marshall, B.A. 2004. New names for four common Marginellidae (Mollusca:
Gastropoda) from northern New Zealand. Molluscan Research 24: 7-20.

Morley, M.S. and Hayward, B.W. 1999. Inner shelf mollusca of the Bay of Islands, New
Zealand, and their depth distribution. Records of the Auckland Museum 36: \ 19-
138.

Morton, J.E. 2004. Seashore Ecology of New Zealand and the Pacific. David Bateman
504 p.

Powell, A.W.B. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, 500 p.

Spencer, H.G., Willan, R.C., Marshall, B.A. and Murray, T.J. 2002. Checklist of the
Recent Mollusca described from the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone.
http://toroa.otago.ac.nz/pubs/spencer/Molluscs/index.html

10

Northland 19 -28 Sep 2005

Houhora Heads

Rarawa

Paua

Spirits Bay

Cape Maria

Kaimaumau

Coopers Beach

Karikari

Tokerau

Rangiputa

Bland Bay

Taupiri

d=dead dd=many dead c=common

f=frequent o=occasional r=rare

wl=wash up live

Polyplacophora Chitons

Chiton gtaucus

0

0

0

Cryptoconchus porosus

wl

r

Eudoxochiton nobilis

r

Ischnochiton maorianus

0

0

0

Leptochiton inquinatus

0

Onithochiton neglectus neglectus

d

Rhyssoplax stangeri

wl

d

Sypharochiton pelliserpentis

0

f

f

d

Gastropoda

Adelphotectonica reevi

d

Alcithoe arabica

d

Alcithoe arabica f.depressa

d

wl

Alcithoe haurakiensis

d

Alcithoe hedleyi

d

Amalda australis

d

0

wl

d

Amalda novaezelandiae

d

d

d

Amphibola crenata

d

d

Antisolarium egenum

d

d

Aphelodoris luctuosa

r

Argobuccinum pustulosum tumidum

d

d

Asteracmea suteri

d

d

Austrofusus glans

d

d

d

wl

d

Austrolittorina antipodum

c

c

c

c

c

Austromitra rubiginosa

d

d

Boreoscala zelebori

d

d

wl

Bouchetriphora pallida

d

Buccinulum linea

d

d

d

d

d

d

Buccinulum mariae

d

Buccinulum robustum

d

Buccinulum vittatum vittatum

d

d

d

d

d

Bulla angasi

d

Bulla quoyii

d

d

d

d

d

Bursatella leachii

c

Cabestana spengleri

d

d

r

d

Caecum digitulum

d

Calliostoma punctulatum

d

d

d

d

d

d

Calliostoma tiigris

d

Cantharidus opalus

d

Cantharidus purpureus

d

d

dl

d

d

d

d

d

Casmaria perryi

d

Cavolinia inflexa

d

Cellana omata

d

d

0

0

d

Cellana radians

d

d

d

o

c

d

Cellana stellifera

d

d

d

d

d

Charonia lampas

d

d

wl

Chemnitzia sp.

d

d

Clanulus peccatus

d

d

Cominella adspersa

d

d

wl

d

d

0

d

Northland 19 -28 Sep 2005

Houhora Heads

Rarawa

Paua

Spirits Bay

Cape Maria

Kaimaumau

Coopers Beach

Karikari

Tokerau

Rangiputa

Bland Bay

Taupiri

Cominella glandiformis

d

c

d

Cominella maculosa

d

0

0

d

Cominella quoyana quoyana

d

d

d

d

d

d

Cominella virgata

d

d

0

Cookia sulcata

d

d

d

d

Crosseola vesca

d

Cumia reticulata

d

Cylichna thetidus

d

Cymatium exaratum

d

d

Cymatium parthenopeum

d

r

d

d

d

Cystiscus vidae

d

Dentimargo calroma

d

d

Dicathais orbita

d

d

d

d

Diloma bicanaliculata

d

d

Diloma subrostrata

c

d

d

d

Diloma zelandica

r

Doris wellingtonensis

wl

Eatoniella albocolumella

0

Eatoniella flammulata

d

d

Eatoniella limbata

r

Eatoniella olivacea

d

d

Eatonina atomaria

d

Eatonina subfiavescens

0

Emarginula striatula

d

d

d

Epitonium jukesianum

d

Epitonium minora

d

d

d

wl

Epitonium tenellum

d

d

Fictonoba camosa

d

Fictonoba rufolactea

d

Fossarina rimata

d

d

Haliotis iris

d

d

d

Haliotis virginea crispata

d

d

d

d

Haloginellla cf. maoriana

d

Haminoea zelandiae

0

d

Haustrum haustorium

d

d

d

d

Haustrum scobina

c

c

c

c

Herpetopoma bella

d

d

d

Janthina exigua

d

d

Lamellaria ophione

d

d

Leuconopsis obsoleta

d

Macrozafra subabnormis

d

Maoricolpus roseus roseus

d

c

d

Maoricrypta costata

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

Maoricrypta monoxyla

wl

d

d

d

Maoricrypta profunda

d .

d

d

d

Maoricrypta sodalis

wl

f

d

Melagraphia aethiops

c

c

d

Melanochlamys lorrainae

r

d?

Merelina compacta

d

Merelina crosseaformis

d

Merelina taupoensis

d

Mesoginella koma

d

d

d

dd

dd

12

Northland 19-28 Sep 2005

Houhora Heads

Rarawa

Paua

Spirits Bay

Cape Maria

Kaimaumau

Coopers Beach

Karikari

Tokerau

Rangiputa

Bland Bay

Taupiri

Mesoginella valei

d

Micrelenchus dilatatus

d

d

Micrelenchus rufozona

d

d

Micrelenchus sanguineus

d

d

Mitra carbonatia

d

d

Modelia granosa

d

d

d

d

Monodilepas diemenensis

d

Muricopsis mariae

d

d

d

d

d

Muricopsis octogonus

d

d

Naricava neozelanica

d

Nassarius aoteanus

d

d

Nassarius spiratus

d

Natica lemniscata

d

Neoguraleus lyallensis tenebrosus

d

d

Neoguraleus murdochi

d

d

d

Nerita atramentosa

c

c

c

Notoacmea elongafa

d

Notoacmea helmsi

f

d

d

Notoacmea parviconoidea

0

Notoacmea scopulina

d

d

Notoacmea subtilis

d

Notocochlis migratoria

d

d

Nozeba emarginata

d

Onchidella nigricans

0

Ophicardelus costellaris

d

Paratrophon quoyi

d

d

d

Patelloida corticata

0

d

Peculator hedleyi

d

Pelicaria vermis

d

d

d

Penion cuvieranus

d

Penion sulcatus

d

d

Pervicacia tristis

d

d

Phenatoma rosea

d

Philine angasi

r

Philine powelli

d

Pictobalcis articulata

d

Pisinna semiplicata

d

Pisinna zostemphila

c

d

Polinices simiae

d

Potamoprygus antipodarum

d

Pupa kirki

d

dd

Pusillina hamiltoni

d

Ranella australasia

d

0

d

wl

d

Rastodens puerilis

r

Risellopsis varia

d

d

Rissoella flemingi ?

r

Rissoella sp.

r

Rissoina chathamensis

d

d

Sassia parkinsonia

r

Scutus breviculus

Seila terebelloldes

d

Semicassis labiata

wl

13

T

(

Northland 19 -28 Sep 2005

Houhora Heads

Rarawa

Paua

Spirits Bay

Cape Maria

Kaimaumau

Coopers Beach

Karikari

Tokerau

Rangiputa

Bland Bay

Taupiri

Semicassis pyrum

d

d

Semicassis sophia

d

Seqsulorbis sp.

d

Serpulorbis zelandica

wl

Serrata mustelina

d

Sigapatella novaezelandiae

d

wl

d

d

d

Siga patella tenuis

d

dl

d

d

d

d

Sigapatella terraenovae

d

Siphonaria australis

d

d

d

Striodostomia orewa

d

Struthiolaria papulosa

d

d

d

d

dd

d

Tanea zelandica

d

d

d

d

Taron dubius

d

d

Tenagodus weldii

d

Thoristella oppressa

d

d

d

Tonna cerevisina

d

d

dl

Trichosirius inomatus

d

Trimusculus conicus

d

Trivia merces

d

d

Trochus tiaratus

d

d

Trochus viridis

d

d

d

d

d

Tugali elegans

Tugali suteri

d

d

Turbo smaragdus

c

c

c

c

Volutomitra obscura

d

d

d

Xymene ambiguus

d

d

dd

wl

Xymene plebeius

d

Xymene traversi

d

d

Zeacolpus pagoda pagoda

d

d

d

d

Zeacumantus lutulentus

c

Zeacumantus subcarinatus

d

d

0

Zemitrella choava

d

d

Zemitrella fallax

d

Zethalia zelandica

dd

dd

dd

dd

d

dd

d

Bivalvia

Anadaria trapesia

d

Anomia trigonopsis

d

d

d

Arthritica bifurca

d

Atrina zelandica

d

r

d

Austrovenus stutchburyi

c

d

d

Barbatia novaezelandiae

d

d

d

d

Bamea similis

d

d

Cardita aoteana

d

d

d

Cardita brookesi

d

d

Circomphalus yatei

d

d

d

Cleidothaerus albidus

d

Corbula zelandica

d

d

d

Crassostrea gigas

c

Diplodonta striatula

d

Divalucina cumingi

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

Dosina crebra

d

d

d

Dosinia anus

d

14

Northland 19 -28 Sep 2005

Houhora Heads

Rarawa

Paua

Spirits Bay

Cape Maria

Kaimaumau

Coopers Beach

Karikari

Tokerau

I

Rangiputa

Bland Bay

Taupiri

Dosinia maoriana

d

d

d

Dosinia subrosea

d

d

d

d

Felaniella zelandica

d

d

d

d

Gari convexa

d

d

Gari lineolata

d

d

d

Gari stangeri

dl

d

d

d

Glycymeris modesta

d

d

d

d

d

Gomphina maorum

d

d

Hiatella arctica

d

d

d

d

Irus elegans

Irus reflexus

Leptomya retiaria

d

Umaria orientalis

Limatula maoria

d

d

d

d

Macomona Uliana

d

d

d

Mesopeplum convexum

dl

Modiolarca impacta

d

d

d

Modiolus areolatus

d

d

d

d

Musculista senhousia

d

Myadora boltoni

d

Myadora striata

d

d

d

d

Myllita stowei

d

d

Myllitella vivens

d

Myochama tasmanica

d

Neolepton antipodum

d

Notoacmea parviconoidea

0

Notocallista multistriata

d

Nucula hartvigiana

d

d

d

Nucula nitidula

d

Offadesma angasi

Ostrea chilensis

d

d

d

Oxyperas elongata

dl

Panopea zelandica

dl

Paphies australis

d

d

Paphies subtriangulata

d

d

d

d

d

d

Pecten novaezelandiae

dl

Pema canaliculus

Peronaea gaimardi

d

d

Philobrya cf. modiolus

d

Philobrya munita

d

Pleuromeris zelandica

d

Protothaca crassicosta

d

d

Pseudarcopagia disculus

d

d

d

d

Ruditapes largillierti

d

d

d

d

d

d

Saccostrea glomerata

c

c

d

Scalpomactra scalpellum

d

Scintilla sieve nsoni

d

Solemya parkinsonii

d

d

Soletellina nitida

d

d

Talochlamys zelandiae

d

dl

d

d

d

Tawera spissa

d

dd

d

d

d

d

Tellinota edgari

d

15

(

Trichomusculus barbatus

d

d

d

Tucetona laticostata

d

d

dl

d

d

Venericardia purpurata

d

dl

d

d

Venericardia reigna

d

Xenostrobus pulex

c

c

c

c

c

Zelithophaga truncata

d

Zenatia acinaces

d

d

Scaphopoda

Fissidentalium zelandicum

d

Cephalopoda

octopus indet.

r

Spirula spirula

d

d

d

squid eggs

c

r

Brachiopoda

Calloria inconspicua

d

d

d

Echinodenmata

Astropecten polycanthus comb star

r

Echinocardium cordatum heart urchin

d

d

Evechinus chloroticus kina

d

Ophiopsammus maculata oar star

wl

Crustacea

Austrominius modestus modest barnacle

c

Balanus trigonus

wl

d

Epopella plicata

0

Eurynolambnis australis

wl

Notomithrax sp.

wl

Petrolisthes elongata half crab

c

hermit crabs- large red

wl

Ascidians

compound ascidian ochre yellow

wl

indet. sheets

wl

0

Coelenterata

Actinia tenebrosa red anemone

0

Actinothoe albinocincta yellow anemone

0

0

Isocradactis magna

0

0

hydroids

wl

c

bryozoans

wl

c

Porifera

Callyspongia ramosa

wl

f

Cllone celata yellow encrusting sponge

wl

0

Siphonchalina sp. organ pipe sponge

wl

0

Tethya aurantium golf ball sponge

wl

0

purple finger sponge

wl

f

red lobed sponge

wl

f

Polychaetes

Chaetopterus sp. leathery worm

dd

Spirorbis

c

c

Algae

Caulerpa brownii

wl

c

0

Durvillaea antarctica

f

Ecklonia radiata

wl

c

Hormosira banksii

-

c

Lessonia variegata

0

Lithophyllum carphophylli

wl

0

red algae spp.

wl

f

Zostera sea grass

c

16

Spirits Bay

Margaret S. Morley

In September 2005 following the 75 weekend celebrations of the Conchology Section,
several members collected in Northland including Spirits Bay where there was a massive
wash up (Morley and Smith this journal). At the time we felt that every shell that lived
there had been washed ashore, of course this was not the case as a second visit on 15
December 2005 proved. This species list for Spirits Bay records 90 additional species to
those in the Northland article, 1 chiton, 67 gastropods, 2 1 bivalves, 1 cephalopod and 1
echinoderm.

Some torrential rain the week before caused the creek to the east of Pananehe Island to
break through the beach sand barrier and drain directly across the beach, the water level
in the lagoon near the start of the track to the beach was noticeably lower than that
observed previously. These changes had carved a vigorous stream bed across the beach
leaving the normally clear water in the bay a turgid brown. Back eddies had left a fine
wash up around the large boulders near high tide. A couple of handfuls of the fine wash
up on the beach were very rich in microscopic species.

The lower water level made it easy to wade up the creek, tightly packed mats of the
estuary mussel, Xenostrobus securis previously under the water had died in life position
on the rocks. The gastropod Zemelanopsis trifasciata had not suffered the same fate and
was common crawling on the creek bed. Some of the oysters had died too. I expected
these to be Crassostrea gigas as this species lives in a similar estuarine habitats e.g. Piha
but the chomata along the hinge margin proved them to be Saccostrea glomerata.

The big surf did not allow a detailed low tide search. The sand washed down by the creek
has been deposited across the spit to the island, largely engulfing the rocky reef and its
tidal pools with sand. Much time was spent looking for Morula under big boulders and
in the wash up to no avail.

A third article could further extend the species list for Spirits Bay if a visit coincides with
suitable conditions for collection of low tide algae and rock wash. Of course there may
be another wash up!

Heads down, bottoms up, sorting the collection from the Northland trip.

17

Spirits Bay 15 December 2005

DEAD

LIVE

d=dead, c=common, f=frequent, o=occasional, r=rare

PLACOPHORA

Plaxiphora caelata

r

GASTROPODA

Amalda mucronata

d

Amphithalamus falsestea

d

Antisolarium egenum

d

Aplysia parvula

d

Asteracmea suteri

d

Austrolittorina antipodum

f

Caiuharidella tesselata

d

Chemnitzia spp.

d

Crassitoniella carinata

d

Cylichna thetidis

d

Diloma nigerrima

d

Exitoniella alhocolumella

d

Eatoniella flammulata

d

Eatoniella nota/abia

d

Eatofiiella mortoni

d

Eatoniella olivacea

d

Eatoniella roseola

d

Eatoniella roseospira

d

Epitonium jukesiatmm

d

Eictonoba carnosa camosa

d

Eossarina rimata

d

Haustrum scobina j

0

Linopyrga rugata rugata

d

Liratilia elegantula

d

Liratilia subnodosa

d

Macrozafra enwrighti

d

Macrozafra subabnormis

d

Merelina lyalliana

d

Merelina crassissima

d

Merelina taupoensis

d

Micrelenchus rufozona

d

Micrelenchus sanguineus

d

Mitra carbonaria

d

Notoacmea elongata

d

Notoacmea pileopsis pileopsis

d

Notacmea subtilis

d

Nototriphora aupouria

d

Onoba candidissima

d

Patelloida corticata

d

Pisinna olivacea impressa

d

Pisinna semiplicata

d

Pisinna zosterophila

d

Potamopyrgus antipodarum

d

Potamopyrgus pupoides

d

Pseudoestea crassiconus

d

Pseudomalaxis zanclaeus meridionalis

d

Pupa affinis

d

Pusillina hamiltoni I

d

Pusillina infecta \

d

18

Retusa oniaemis

d

Risellopsis varia

d

Rissoella flemingi

d

Rissoella micra

d

Rissoella rissoqformis

d

Rissoina chathamemis

d

Rissoim fucosa

d

Serpulorbis sp.

d

Stephopoma rosea

d

Synthopsis caelata

d

Taron dubius

d

Tenagodus weldii

d

Trichosirius inoniatus

d

Xymene traversi

d

Zemelanopsis trifasciata

c

Zemitrella choava

d

Zemitrella fallax

d

Zemitrella laeviros tris

d

BIVALVIA

Cardita brookesi

d

Cosa laevicostata

d

Cosa serratocostata

d

Gaimardia finlayi

d

Hiatella arctica

d

Irus elegans

d

Jrus reflexus

d

Kidderia costala

d

Kidderia anpouria aupouria

d

Lasaea hinemoa

d

Lasaea maoria

d

Modiolarca impacta

d

Myllitella vivens vivens

d

Neolepton antipodum

d

Nucula certisinus

d

Philobrya aaitangula

d

Philobrya cf. modiolus

d

Philobrya munita

d

Saccostrea glomerata

f

Scalpomactra scalpellum

d

Xenostrobns securis

c

CEPHALOPODA

Spirula spirula

d

ECHINODERMATA

Evechims chloroticus

d

19

THE TWIN HALVES STORY

By Heather Smith

A truly magnificent rock aged around 200 million years old, covered in imprint images of Monotis,
a pecten-like shell, sits beside Margaret Morley’s fireplace. It was acquired on a research excursion
to Kiritehere Beach west of Waitomo. Bruce Hayward selected the rock, whacked it open, and
whippee, there were the fossil imprints, like patterns on a wall paper, completely covering each
surface. Bruce carried one half over a kilometre down the beach to the carpark. Margaret struggled
with the other half, eventually with great disappointment, leaving it up in the sand dunes. Bruce
kindly returned and collected if for her.

One week after viewing this specimen my twin sister and 1 were heading to Kiritehere. We parked
beside the bridge with the panoramic views and set out trekking south across the beach and down
the rugged coastline. We viewed the Monotis seam and questioned how would we ever open one of
those rocks let along carry it back to the van. We continued our journey of exploration on this
rugged coastline, studying more ancient seams of mussel fossils. Further south we rounded a
headland and found a large inviting rocky swimming hole. On a clear warm sunny day in May we
cooled off despite the lack of togs and towels.

Four hours later we returned to the Monotis seam to find a perfect rock specimen recently opened,
laying, waiting just for us. Well, somebody had opened it in our absence. What about the carrying?
While we stood in awe admiring it a man appeared from behind a rocky outcrop. He had just split
this rock open and taken the other half to his four wheel drive parked handy on the beach. If we
would like this half he would be happy to carry it to his four wheel drive and drop it off back at the
carpark. We accepted eagerly. His wagon was jammed with surf boards, wetsuits, loose tired
clothing items, rocks, tools, gumboots, soggy towels and all the junk of a mid-life gypsy surfer.
Waving caution to the wind, my sister squeezed into the front passenger sea to accompany this
stranger down the beach. There was no room for me so I was left to walk. At least she has a rock
hammer and a small mallet in her bag I thought to myself as the wagon disappeared in the distance.
Half an hour later 1 was pretty relieved to see her walking down the beach to meet me.

John lived in Kawhia an hours drive away. He owned a property of 40 acres just above those rugged
cliffs and headlands we had been walking around earlier and oh! Yes! He’d seen our figures way
down on the beach earlier in the day, walking figures not swimming we hoped!

At dawn next morning a four wheel drive pulled up beside our motor home. “Gracious! He’s keen,”
says my sister as she draws back the curtain. He has especially returned early in order not to miss
us. “I’ve brought you the other half of that rock,” he calls. “I think they should be together. Besides,

1 can get another one any time.”

We were overwhelmed with his generosity! Our fireplace is graced with h\o matching rock
specimens and we didn’t have to smack, whack or carry our rocks!

P.S. Margaret, where did you say you got that perfect ammonite from?

20

A NEW SHELL FOR KAIKOURA

By Bev Elliott

On August 30"’, 2004 I was beach-cleaning near the New Wharf at Kaikoura, when I was astounded
to find a shell that I had never seen before, a large white file shell, family Limidae. I thought I knew
where it had come from, as other species found on this little beach include thin green Perna
canaliculus, which look very different to their tough little cousins which live here and large
Crassostrea gigas, and the pod valves of Pecten novaezelandiae, neither of which live around here.
Were the seafood specialists of Kaikoura now importing foreign Lima to add to the delicacies
offered to the tourists? I hastened to the nearby fish shop to find out. Fay assured me that my shell
was not a foreign import. She was as surprised as me to learn that I had picked it up on the beach as
I was to learn that a fisherman had brought in a living specimen which Fay kept for a while in the
tank of a live crayfish in the fish shop.

She mentioned its apricot colouring; (the animal, I presume, as my shell is white), and that it had
been handed on to the marine lab. I hastened to the marine lab and talked with Jack van Berkel. The
file shell had been handed on to someone in Christchurch, who had identified it as Acesta.

That jogged my memory, as a while ago Michael Eagle had identified a large fossil at Kaikoura
Museum as an Acesta. So I was able to spell the name for Mr van Berkel, and also to show him in
his copy of Suter’s Manual which family it belonged to.

He didn’t have any other details that he could give me, but said he would be in touch if/when he
received any more information from his contact in Christchurch.

Next stop was the Kaikoura Museum, to which I was already heading for my voluntary work there,
and straight to the cabinet where the big Acesta fossil is kept.

Acesta is a very featureless shell, with no sculpture except for some very faint ribs towards one
edge. It is smooth and white, and my specimen has a bit of golden-brown epidermis around the
edge. The interior is smooth, white and glossy. The valves were joined at the hinge, but most of the
second valve is missing.

I rang the fisherman I’d been told was the donor of the living shell, but he knew nothing about it. He
gave me two other names to try, both of whom knew nothing about it, but the second man
recognised my description of the shell, and gave me some interesting information.

They are caught in nets 10 miles off Kaikoura in about 200 fathoms/500 metres. The size is about
three inches and the colour pinkish. I presume that means the animal, as there is no trace of any
colour on my shell, and it is so thin that the colour from the animal would be likely to show through.
And what do fishermen do with
them? Throw them right back
overboard!!! It seems it never oc-
curred to them that somebody
might be interested in them.

So if you want one of these trea-
sures of the deep for your collec-
tion, just come down to Kaikoura,
swim out 1 0 miles, and dive down
to 500 metres!

Spencer and Willan list this shell
as Acesta sp. Dell 1978 An*. It
should be possible to add a C to
the location now.

It is hoped that there will be a
sequel to this article as more infor-
mation comes to hand.

21

A CHLAMYS FROM MOERAKI

By Jim Rumbal

Scenario:

A Moeraki fishing boat battling through a choppy sea lost a cray pot overboard. The steel
mesh pot, with a large plastic buoy and coiled rope inside, sank to the bottom in ten to twelve
metres of water .There it sat, to be invaded by marine life for perhaps a couple of seasons. The
pot was then fouled by another fisherman and brought to the surface, to be returned to the end
of the Moeraki wharf, abandoned and waiting to be claimed by its owner.

Scene One

A holidaying shell collector strolling in the early morning sun noticed the rusty, dry seaweed
encrusted pot and looked inside. The large buoy and coiled rope were still enclosed and
covered with drying slimy marine algae. But what’s this! Two large ribbed red brachiopods!
These were quickly plucked from the rope where they were attached and into the collecting
bag. Then a nice large swollen triton with complete velvety periostracum. Next, amongst the
strands of weed on the buoy, a small Chlamys, then another, and several more attached by
their byssal threads to the rope! They were prettily mottled in shades of brown pink and
orange, one with white ribs with dark brown interstices. But they were different from other
Chlamys that the collector was familiar with! Almost with the sculpture of Dichroa, but not
that species. They appeared in shape to be dieffenbachi, but - they were different!

Scene Two

A cold winters evening at home sitting in front of the fire studying Powell. The descriptions
and illustrations did not match the Chlamys collected at Moeraki. Further browsing through
back numbers of Poirieria and an excellent article on Chlamys by the late Norm Gardener,
and then BINGO! There it was, a description of the very Chlamys in question. To quote from
Poirieria, July 1970, Volume 5, Part 4. “Chlamys suprasilis [Findlay 1928] - but this species
not now generally recognised. - considered by Beu [1965] to be the phenotype assumed by
dieffenbachi when it lives under much less enclosed conditions” The prominent rounded ribs
are not spinosely ornamented, but have sparse, rounded scales across the ribs. This fitted the
specimens perfectly. I had a name for the Chlamys.

The Cray pot had produced:

* 2 large red ribbed brachiopods, Margasella sanguinea, 38 and 40mm across.

* 1 nice Swollen Triton, Argobuccinum pustulosum tumidum, 82 mm long,
with complete velvety periostracum.

* 19 Chlamys suprasilis, the largest 21mm across.

NAME CHANGES

Margaret Morley’s excellent synopsis of the name changes from Powell {1979} to Spencer
and Willan {1996} has been most helpful. Chlamys have had many changes, and Chlamys
suprasilis is no exception, even if it is recognised only as “a phenotype of C.dieffenbachi”.

22

Chlamys zelandiae Gray 1843 now covers all of the below forms:

Pecten dieffenbachi Reeve 1853 = Chlamys celatior Findlay 1928 =

Chlamys dieffenbachi Dell 1963

Chlamys suprasilis Findlay 1928. Phenotype assumed by C. dieffenbachi when living under
less enclosed conditions.

Chlamys zelandona Hartlien 1931

As a keen amateur collector of shells, I like to name them, separating them from their close
family members, even if by strict nomenclatural rules these names are invalid. Otherwise
how could I separate my round ribbed, broad scaled C. zelandiae [suprasilis phenotype form]
from the distinctively differing spiculately ribbed C. zelandiae forms as shown in the
illustrations.

Photo 1 : Chlamys zelandiae [suprasilis form] Specimens from the Moeraki cray pot.

Photo 2: Top left: Chlamys zelandiae zelandiae Matauri Bay
Top middle Chlamys zelandiae [dieffenbachi form] Ringa Ringa Beach Stewart Island.

Top right Chlamys zelandiae [zealandona form] Marfells Beach Marlborough.

Bottom left Chlamys gemmulata gemmulata Reeve 1853 Bay of Plenty
Bottom right Chlamys gemmulata radiata Hutton 1873 Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island.

The Moeraki weekend was most enjoyable, even more so with the finding of this uncommon
Chlamys form. What other interesting shells are to be found there?

23

Molluscs and Ostracods in a tidal transect from
Whangapoua Estuary, Coromandel Peninsula

Margaret S. Morley and Bruce W. Hayward

This study aims to document the habitat and depth range of intertidal and shallow
subtidal mollusc and ostracod species in the central portion of the Whangapoua Estuary.
An improved knowledge of the tidal range of shelled species in sheltered harbour and
estuarine environments will be of value in inferring the tidal elevation at which fossil
Holocene (0-10,000 yrs old) assemblages once accumulated. This is particularly useful
in studies of sea-level change and also in earthquake-prone areas where the land may
have been uplifted or subsided during major earthquakes (e.g., Goff et al., 2000;
Hayward et al., 2004). The tidal range of foraminifera in these environments is now
relatively well documented (e.g. Hayward et al., 1999a, b) and adding two further
groups will be valuable additions to paleoecologists’ tool box.

In this study we record a diversity of 29 species of mollusc (1 1 gastropods, 18
bivalves) and 39 species of ostracod, but not all of them were in-situ living specimens.

Transect and sample processing

The transect was taken in July 2000 near the Whangapoua wharf, east coast
Coromandel Peninsula, adjacent to the main harbour channel (Fig. 1). Sediment residues
and faunal slides will be deposited in the collections of the Geology Department,
University of Auckland (AU 17600- 17608). Samples of 20 cc of sediment were taken at
0.2 m elevational intervals from mid tide level at 1.1 m (above spring low tide level) to -
0.1 m, with two subtidal samples in the main channel from -1.5 and -3 m below spring
low tide level. The spring tidal range here is -1.8 m.

Sediment samples were washed over a 63 pm sieve to remove mud, then dried.
For our ostracod and mollusc studies, only the size fraction larger than 125 pm was
examined. All identifiable mollusc shells or broken shells were identified and counted,
noting specimens that were living when collected. With ostracods all single (dead)
valves were picked and counted separately from all articulated double valves (usually
living). Where high numbers of ostracod shells were present, only a Vi or 14 split of
these samples was picked and the numbers multiplied up to equal a full 20 cc sample.

Fig. 1 Location of Whangapoua Harbour, Coromandel Peninsula in northern New Zealand.

24

Ostracoda

Ostracoda is a class of the Subphylum Crustacea. Ostracods could be called
water fleas, but since most are less than a millimeter in size, this common name is
unlikely to become popular. They have a superficial resemblance to bivalves having a
hinge and two valves, but the shrimp-like animal inside has paired appendages and
limbs (Fig. 2). The eyes see through a smooth convex patch on the valves called the eye
tubercle. The animal is permanently attached inside the valves, the raised muscle scar
pattern on the inside of the valves is significant for species identification.

Taxonomists use the detail of the animal for identification, e.g. the number and
features of the podomeres, or segments of the appendages. However the shape and
ornamentation of the valves is also a valuable aid to identification (Yassini and Jones,
1995), and the valves are the only parts that survive after death and are fossilised.

Ostracods scavenge along the sea floor in vigorous bursts of movement with
frequent changes of direction. At the slightest disturbance the appendages are withdrawn
and the valves closed. Some animals are pink, some pale, others black, the colour of the
animal can be seen through the valves and is consistent within each species. A
microscope is needed to observe ostracods from local beaches. To find ostracods sieve
the sediment washed from intertidal seaweeds - Corallina officinalis is a rich habitat,
but just a sample of muddy sand will do.

Ostracods live in a range of habitats from deep marine to fresh water and a few
even live on land (Moore, 1961). Many of the deep-water species are blind, as sight is of
no use in the pitch dark. A few pelagic species live in the plankton, where to avoid
predators the best camouflage is to be transparent.

antennula
antenna
legs

brachial plate
hinge
eye

Fig. 2 Anatomy of a generalized ostracod, with one valve removed.

Previous work on New Zealand Ostracoda

One of the first contributions to the knowledge of New Zealand living ostracods
was made by Thomson (1879) in which he describes nine species. Brady (1880) studied
ostracods from the ocean floor around the world and included a number from samples
around New Zealand. Subsequent workers include Chapman (1906), Hornibrook (1952,
1955), Swanson (1979a, b, 1980), Ayress et al. (1997), Eagar (1999), Hayward (1981,
1982) and Guise (2002). Over 600 living species of ostracods have been recorded from
New Zealand (Eagar, 2005).

DORSAL

A

B

C

D

E

F

25

Identification of Ostracoda

The identification of the species in this article is provisional and will need some
revision when more is known about our estuarine ostracods. The reasons for this are:

1 . There are few previous studies on intertidal or estuarine ostracods in New Zealand to
provide reference material.

2. Some specimens are likely to be undescribed species (Jane Guise pers. comm.).

3. Identifications have been done using valve features rather than animal anatomy,
which preferably requires use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

4. During growth ostracods moult nine times. The early stages have different features to
fully adult specimens. During its life time, each ostracod produces 18 valves.

5. In some species there is a marked difference between males and females and these
may not have been recognised as just one species. Females are larger and longer than
males. In some species the valves of females are expanded at the posterior end to
accommodate eggs.

Fig. 3 Distribution of molluscan specimens and species through the subtidal to intertidal Whangapoua

transect.

Observed zonation of Mollusca (Fig. 3)

With the microgastropods it was not always possible to determine which specimens
were alive and which were dead when they were sampled. By far the largest number of
gastropods (127 specimens) and highest diversity (17 species) was found in the centre of
the main channel at 3 m depth (Appendix 1, Fig. 3), and most of these were probably
carried in here by strong tidal currents. The only gastropod showing a significant mid-
tidal acme of abundance was Zeacumantus lutulentus (Fig. 4). A single live olive shell
Amalda australis was present at spring low tide level. Numerically the most abundant
gastropods present were the microscopic Pisinna zosterophila and Lodderia iota (Figs.

3, 4), largely found in the centre of the channel where they are believed to have been
swept into by currents.

26

Fig. 4 Drawings (by MSM and Powell, 1979) of common and noteworthy molluscs in the Whangapoua

transect.

Double- valved (probably living) cockles, Austrovenus stutchburyi (Fig. 4), were
present from mid tide down to subtidal (0.9 to -1.5 m). Most of the common
microbivalve Arthritica bifurca live subtidally and in the low tide zone (0.3 to -3 m), but
one specimen was present as high as 0.7 m (Fig. 3). Double-valved nut shells Nucula
were only present at low tide level (0.3 m). Juvenile double-valved specimens of
Ruditapes largillierti, Dosinia greyi, pipi Paphies australis and tuatua P. subtriangulata
were all found only at subtidal depths in this study (-1.5 and -3 m). In this transect the
wedge shell Macomona Uliana, which can be dense at intertidal elevations in many
localities, was virtually absent with only a single double-valved specimen in the mid
tide zone (0.7 m).

Observed zonation of Ostracoda (Fig. 5).

Whole specimens and single valves are recorded separately (Appendix 2). It is
assumed that whole specimens were either alive at that depth or close to it, whereas
single valves could have been transported some distance from where they were living by
wave or most likely by strong tidal current action.

The total number of ostracod specimens (Fig. 5) was lowest at mid tide level (~1
valve per cc sediment), and increased to a peak at mean low tide (30 valves per cc) and
was moderately high throughout the low tidal and shallow subtidal zone (>10 valves per
cc). The total number of ostracod species (Fig. 5) was also lowest at mid tide (9-12
species) with a maximum subtidally up to extreme spring low tide level (16-22 species).
All the common species present have a more articulated double valves over single
valves, which suggests that they were more or less in-situ, and that there is less current
transport of ostracods than molluscs. A number of ostracod species seem to exhibit a
tidal elevation-influenced zonation of both double-valved specimens and total valves
(Fig. 5):

27

,•>" y" c,y\y

«.4.'''V <# </ </ y <«p </ y

4®® <5>®^ \o'‘\0®^.(^® «^' r<.®

Q®^ 0®^

v^ V^ >i^ >i^ C^ xP" wY^ .V\^ .V<W \r <

-Zp® -Z,®® ^®® 0^^ cp'^ o®'^ 0®'^ r'f

d^ o<^ o^ O®"^ d^ H-^

0 1500 0 1500 0 25 0 10 0 10 0 20 0 30 0 50 0 40 0 20 0 20 0 30 0 30 0 40 0 30

low

tide

Fig. 5 Distribution of ostracod specimens and species through the subtidal to intertidal Whangapoua

transect.

Callistocythere neoplana (Fig. 6) has an acme in the shallow subtidal from 0.1 to -1.5 m
(Appendix 2).

Copytus novaezelandiae (Fig. 6) occurs throughout the transect, with a wide acme zone
from 0.7 to -1.5 m.

Cytheromorpha sp. 1 (Fig. 6) from mid tide to just below spring low level (1.1 to -0.1
m), with an acme at neap low tide level (0.5 to 0.7 m).

Microcytherura crassa (Fig. 6) occurs throughout the transect, with greatest numbers at
0.1 m.

Microcytherura ?hornibrooki (Fig. 6) occurs throughout the transect, but with low
numbers at mid tide (1.1 m) and in the subtidal channel. An acme occurs at neap low
tide level (0.5 to 0.7 m).

Microcytherura sp. 1 has small numbers throughout the intertidal section, with an acme
of total and live specimens at neap low tide level (0.7 m).

Munseyella tumidum and Callistocythere dorsotuberculata (Fig. 6, Appendix 2) have a
broad acme zone from 0.5 to -3 m.

Procythereis cf. lyttletonensis (Fig. 6) also occurs throughout the transect with low
numbers at mid tide and in the subtidal channel, with a broader acme zone between 0.9
and -0.1 m.

Swansonella novaezelandica (Fig. 6) has an acme zone between 0.3 and -1.5 m.
Waiparacythereis joannae (Fig. 6) occurs at mid tide (0.9 m) and below with an acme
zone extending from low tide to the centre of the channel (0.5 to -3 m).

28

Callistocyth ere dorsotuberculata

Copytus novaezelandiae

Callistocythere neoplana

Cytheromorpha sp, 1

Microcytherura crassa

Microcytherura ?hornibrooki Munseyella tumidum Procythereis aff. lyttletonensis

Swansonella novaezelandica

Waiparacythereis joannae

Fig. 6 Drawings (by MSM) of common ostracods in the Whangapoua transect. Scales = 0.1 mm.

Notes on Mollusc occurrences (Fig. 4)

Gastropods

The small gastropod Lodderia iota is usually found in low numbers among rocks
(MSM pers. obs.). Over 20 specimens were found in this transect at AU17608 in a depth
of 3 m below low tide. These are presumed to have been carried in by strong tidal
currents from the rocky shoreline on the west side of the estuary’s mouth.

Over 50 of the microscopic gastropod Pisinna were identified to genus by the
protoconch, which is stippled in spiral series (Powell, 1979, p. 100). Some of the mature
specimens were positively identified as the common P. zosterophila, which lives under
rocks at and below low tide to about 15 m (Morley and Hayward, 1999). They may also
have been swept in by strong incoming tidal currents.

29

The uncommon microgastropod Anabathron rugulosus must also have washed
from rocks at the entrance as its habitat is low tide to depths of 10 m (Powell, 1979).
Four specimens of the gastropod Nilsia cuvieranus were found at 3 m depth. This
species has been recorded by Powell (1979) from shallow water down to 70 m.

Bivalves

Two double valved specimens of Lasaea parengaensis (Fig. 4) were found at a
depth of 3 m. This small but distinctive bivalve has previously been recorded from the
Parengarenga Harbour (Powell, 1979) and Mill Bay, Manukau Harbour (Hayward and
Morley, 2004). This is believed to be the first record from the Coromandel Peninsula.
The small bivalve Arthritica crassiformis lives commensally with the rock borer Bamea
similis, so its presence indicates that a population is living nearby.

Specimens of Paphies australis and P. subtriangulata smaller than 2 mm are
indistinguishable, but larger double-valved specimens confirm that both species were
present alive.

Conclusions

This study indicates that current transport tends to blur the elevational zonation
patterns of molluscs more than ostracods on the edge of this tidal channel. Despite this
the tidal ranges of Zeacumantus, and the small bivalves Arthritica bifurca and Nucula
have some potential to assist in inferring past environments of fossil assemblages. In the
ostracods, at least four of the more common species (Callistocythere neoplana,
Cythromorpha sp. 1, Microcytherura ?hornibrooki, M. sp. 1) appear to be largely
confined to the intertidal zone and have potential for distinguishing former tidal
elevations.

Acknowledgements

We thank Jane Guise, Geology Dept, University of Canterbury, for helpful
comments on ostracod taxonomy, and Ashwaq Sabaa and Hugh Grenfell, Geomarine
Research, for scanning in the original drawings and field assistance, respectively.

References

Ayress, M., Neil, H., Passlow, V. and Swanson, K. 1997. Benthonic ostracods and deep
watermasses: A qualitative comparison of Southwest Pacific, Southern and
Atlantic Oceans. Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology 131: 287-302.
Brady, G.S. 1880. Report on the Ostracods dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the
years 1873-1876. Report Voyage Challenger, Zoology 1(3), 184 p.

Chapman, F. 1906. On some foraminifera and Ostracoda obtained off Great Barrier

Island, New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute
38: 77-1 12.

Eagar, S.H. 1999. Distribution of Ostracoda around a coastal sewer outfall: a case study
from Wellington, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 29:
257-264.

Eagar, S.H. 2005. http://www.vuw.ac.nz/geo/geol/ostracoda.html
Goff, J.R., Rouse, H.L., Jones, S.L., Hayward, B.W., Cochran, U., McLea, W.W.,
Dickinson, W.W. and Morley, M.S., 2000. Evidence for an earthquake and
tsunami about 3100-3400 years ago, and other catastrophic saltwater inundations
recorded in a coastal lagoon. New Zealand. Marine Geology 170: 231-249.

30

Guise, J.E. 2002. A new genus of brackish-water ostracod, Swansonella, from the Avon-
Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch, New Zealand. New Zealand Natural Sciences
26: 75-86.

Hayward, B.W. 1981. Ostracod fauna of an intertidal pool at Kawerua, Northland. Tane
27: 159-168.

Hayward, B.W. 1982. Foraminifera and ostracoda in nearshore sediments. Little Barrier
Island, northen New Zealand. Tane 28: 53-66.

Hayward, B.W., Cochran, U., Southall, K., Wiggins, E., Grenfell, H.R., Sabaa, A.T.,
Shane, P.A.R. and Gehrels, R. 2004. Micropalaeontological evidence for the
Holocene earthquake history of the eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
Quaternary Science Reviews 23: 1651-67.

Hayward, B.W., Grenfell, H.R., Reid, C.M. and Hayward, K.A. 1999a. Recent New
Zealand shallow-water benthic foraminifera: Taxonomy, ecologic distribution,
biogeography, and use in paleoenvironmental assessment. Institute of Geological
and Nuclear Sciences Monograph, 258 p.

Hayward, B.W., Grenfell, H.R., and Scott, D.B. 1999b. Tidal range of marsh

foraminifera for determining former sea-level heights in New Zealand. New
Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 42: 395-413.

Hayward, B.W. and Morley, M.S. 2004. Intertidal life around the coast of the Waitakere
Ranges, Auckland. Auckland Regional Council Working Report No. Ill, 102 p.

Hornibrook, N. deB., 1952, Tertiary and recent marine Ostracoda of New Zealand, New
Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin, 82 p.

Hornibrook, N. deB. 1955. Ostracoda in the deposits of Pyramid Valley Swamp.

Records of the Canterbury Museum 6(4): 267-278.

Moore, R.C. 1961. Treatise on invertebrate paleontology. Part Q, Arthropoda 3,

Crustacea, Ostracoda. Geological Society of America and University of Kansas
Press, 442 p.

Morley, M.S. and Hayward, B.W. 1999. Inner shelf Mollusca of the Bay of Islands, New
Zealand, and their depth distribution. Records of the Auckland Museum 36: 1 19-
140.

Powell, A.W.B. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, 500 p.

Swanson, K.M. 1979a. The marine Fauna of New Zealand: Ostracods of the Otago
Shelf. New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir 78.

Swanson, K.M. 1979b. Recent ostracods from Port Pegasus, Stewart Island. New
Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 13: 151-170.

Swanson, K.M. 1980. Five new species of Ostracoda from Port Pegasus, Stewart Island.
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 14: 205-21 1.

Thomson, G.M. 1879. On the New Zealand Entomastraca. Transactions of the New
Zealand Institute 11: 251 -263.

Yassini, I. and Jones, B.G. 1995. Recent Foraminifera and Ostracoda from estuarine and
shelf environments on the southeastern coast of Australia. Wollongong, University
of Wollongong Press, 484 p.

31

Appendix 1. Mollusc census data from the Whangapoua Estuary transect.

Counts = the number of specimens in each 20 cc sample. In bivalves double and single
valves counted separately.

Station 123456789

AU No. 17600 17601 17602 17603 17604 17605 17606 17607 17609

Metres above/below low tide 1.1 0.9 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.1 -0.1 -1.5 -3.0

Station 112233445566778899

d=double, v=single valve dvdvdvdvdvdvdvdvdv

Gastropods

Amalda australis .......... \.......

Anabathron rugulosus 2 -

Antisolarium egenum ................ \ .

Caecum digitulum 3-5-5-

Chemnitzia sp. ........1.

Clio sp. j.

Cominella quoyanal - - ].

Eatoniella albocolumella 2 -

Eatoniella sp. ...........3.

Lodderia iota .............. 2 - 21 -

Merelina lyalliana - 1-

Nilsia cuvieriana ................ 4 .

Pisinna zosterophila . \ \ iQ SQ .

Pisinna sp. .9.I7.

Proxiuber sp. ............3

Stephanopoma roseus ...........4.

Turbo smaragdus 1.................

Turritellidae .............. ]...

Zeacumantus lutulentus 1-.92--76------52-

Zeacumantus subcarinatiis ----3 ---3-

Zeacumantus sp. -2-2 --2-

indet. gastropod j... 1.

Bivalves

Arthritica crassiformis 2 -

Arthritica bifurca ----1---3-2-4211-53

Austrovenus stutchburyi ..11J.33......6--1

Cyclomactra ovata .....321-----

Dosinia greyi 41

Dosinia sp. ................4.

Lasaea hinemoa .. 2> -------------- -

Lasaea parengaensis ..2-

Macomona Uliana . \

Melliteryx parva ...........3.

MyUtella vivens ................. 2

Nucula hartvigiana ........ 2 ------- - 1

Nucula nitidula \ \

Nucula sp. ........1

Paphies australis ...3.

Paphies subtriangulata -2-53

Ruditapes largillierti ]. 1.

Tawera spissa . ... \ 1..].

indet. bivalve 2----

32

Appendix 2. Ostracod census data from the Whangapoua Estuary transect.

Counts = number of valves in each 20 cc sample, double and single valves counted
separately.

Station

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

AU No.

17600

17601

17602

17603

17604

17605

17606

17607

17609

Metres above/below low tide

1.

1

0.

9

0.'

7

0.5

0.

3

0.

1

-0

. 1

-1

.5

-3

.0

Station

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

8

8

9

9

d=double, v=single valve

d

V

d

V

d

V

d

V

d

V

d

V

d

V

d

V

d

V

Arcuacythereis sp.

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

4

2

-

3

1

-

-

4

-

-

-

Callislocythere aff. ventroalata

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Callistocythere dorsotuberculata
Callislocythere cf. dorsotuberculata

-

-

1

-

4

-

16

-

2

-

6

1

3

4

-

20

-

10

-

Callistocythere neoplana

3

-

3

1

-

-

4

-

4

-

8

-

16

-

12

-

2

-

Callistocythere sp. 3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Copytus novaezelandiae

1

-

1

3

20

8

44

20

-

2

-

2

8

8

20

8

8

6

Cytherella sp. 2

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

3

-

-

-

8

-

8

-

Cytherella bermaguiensis
Tasmanicypris sp.

1

2

-

Cytheromorpha sp. 1

7

1

13

-

30

5

44

-

4

-

7

-

12

-

-

-

-

-

Cytheropteron improbum

4

Cytheropteron aff. latiscalpum

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

4

-

-

-

6

-

Eucythere aff. mytila

4

Hemicytherura delicatula

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

-

8

-

Hemicytherura pentagona
Hemicytherura quadrazea

4

1

4

Hermites sp. 2

-

.

_

.

_

-

_

2

.

_

.

4

_

.

.

Loxoconcha sp.
Loxoconcha punctata

-

1

2

1

4

2

Maddocksella tumefacta

8

4

8

4

Mckenzieartia aff. porcelanica

-

2

-

M ckenziartia portjacksonensis

-

-

-

-

2

1

2

-

Microcytherura crassa

6

I

7

-

26

7

84

28

82

20

55

35

152 48

72

20

44

24

Microcytherura ?hornibrooki

9

-

47

1

141

-

488

40

64

-

53

_

60

.

8

.

8

-

Microcytherura sp.l

-

1

-

1

3

5

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Munseyella tuniidum

-

-

2

3

8

2

72

12

90

4

66

1

80

8

160 12

54

4

Neocythereis anneclarkae

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

8

-

3

-

4

-

4

-

-

-

Procythereis aff. lyttletonensis

1

-

161

-

154 8

152

4

82

-

97

12

288 8

28

4

28

-

Quadracythere cf. biruga

-

22

-

Swansonella novaezelandica

4

-

12

3

12

2

12

12

28

4

16

16

96

24

44

12

20

-

Swansonites aff. aqua

2

-

Trachyleberis aff probesioides

-

6

-

Trachyleberis sp. 2

4

Xestoleberis sp.

7

1

8

4

-

-

2

-

Waiparacythereis joannae

-

-

5

2

13

-

180

24

44

18

30

4

32

-

232 12

144 6

Myodocopid indet.

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

Ostracod indet.

4

-

-

-

1

4

-

-

8

-

-

Total specimens

38

4

252 14

416 40

1100

148 418 48

356 77

776 100 632 88

388 48

Total species

8

4

10

7

14

10

11

9

14

5

19

11

16

6

16

10

21

6

33

I

Live X. neozelanica with foot extended.
(Picture taken in aquarium.)

Live X. neozelanica showing eyes and
proboscis of animal.

(Picture taken in aquarium.)

Live X. neozelanica covered in sponges.
(Picture taken in aquarium.)

X. neozelanica with tusk shell
ornamentation, trawled from outer
Hauraki Gulf 200m depth.

The Original Shell Collector - The Carrier Shell

By Jenny and Tony Enderby

Xenophora neozelanica neozelanica Suter, 1908
Xenophora neozelanica kermadecensis Ponder, 1983

Most of us have collected sea shells washed up after a
storm. Shell collecting is not new, as many early civilisations
collected them for use as money or ornaments.

The original shell collector is also a mollusc, the carrier shell,
from the family Xenophondae. The name is from the Greek
words "xeno” meaning foreign and “phoros” meaning carrier,
an apt description of a shell that carries foreign objects.

They have been around for millions of years, dating back to
the Upper Cretaceous period around 95 million years ago.
Carriers are unique in that they attach other shells, usually
bivalves, to their shell’s outer rim. The use goes beyond
ornamentation, the empty shells are placed there as camou-
flage from predators. The bivalves are almost always placed
concave side upwards, making it clear to predatory fish that
the shell is empty. The shape of bivalves curved upwards at
the outer edge makes movement of the carrier shells easier.
There are 25 known species and subspecies in three genus,
Xenophora with 15, Stellaria with 6 and Onustus with 4
(Kreipl and Alf 1999). They are found in temperate to tropical
seas and from the intertidal to off the continental shelf.

New Zealand has one representative of this world-wide
family, Xenophora neozelanica neozelanica, and one sub-
species X. neozelanica kermadecensis.

The New Zealand carrier shell, X. n. neozelanica, is found
around the coast of northern New Zealand on sand and mud
between 20 metres and 300 metres depth. On the east coast
it extends as far as the Bay of Plenty and on the west coast
to Kapiti Island. Because of its camouflage it is rarely seen
by scuba divers and only comes up in trawl nets or dredges.
The smaller X. n. kermadecensis is found north of New
Zealand around the Kermadec Islands between 85 and 275
metres depth.

The main differences between X. n. neozelanica and X. n.
kermadecensis are in the smaller size of the latter and a
higher spire angle (80-95deg as opposed to 60 to 85deg).
The average diameter of X. n. neozelanica excluding attach-
ments is listed by Kreipl and Alf 1999 as 60mm and the
largest known as 84mm. In X. n. kermadecensis the average
diameter is 50mm and the largest known is 60mm diameter.
The size difference may be attributable to the much larger
number of specimens known of X. n. neozelanica. Those in
our collection and others studied, fit within this size range.

A series of shells trawled to the northwest of Ninety Mile
Beach were noticeably smaller than those found on the east
coast. All were in the range of 44 mm to 52 mm diameter.
Several had the sculpture on the base typical of X. n.
kermadecensis.

We studied and photographed several live specimens in an
aquarium over a period of several months. They were notice-

34

ably more active at night. Our attempts to photograph
specimens in the sea were unsuccessful with the animals
not emerging from the shells.

The foot of the animal, which other gastropod molluscs
use for crawling like a garden snail, has adapted into a
two-part appendage. This enables it to collect and hold
shells and other objects against the outer rim of its own
shell. An adhesive, which the animal secretes, hardens
and the shell becomes a permanent fixture. As well as
bivalves, gastropods, brachiopods, tusk shells, corals and
stones are used, depending on the sea floor where the
animal lives. Some specimens from around White Island
have attached pieces of volcanic glass or obsidian.

In the days before pressure on the Hauraki Gulf from silt
runoff, chemicals and bottom trawling, large numbers of
carrier shells lived there. Some of these, seen in old sea
shell collections, had attachments of tusk shells, lesser
known members of the mollusc family.

Another unusual attachment variant are brachiopods or
lamp shell, which are common in the Hauraki Gulf.
Brachiopod fossils date back some 500 million years.
Some carrier shells carry live brachiopods which may
have attached to the carrier shell when floating as larvae.
Solitary corals lalso attach as larvae.

Little is known about the method of selection the carrier
shell makes for its attachments. We do know that the
process of attachment is a long and difficult one for the
animal and that it has adapted perfectly for the job.

The foot of the carrier shell animal is long and muscular
and rather than crawling across the sand in the conven-
tional snail manner the animal hops along. This method of
movement is also common in the family Strombidae. The
foot extends into the sand and in one muscular movement
it jerks the shell towards with its foot. This is repeated and
the carrier shell can move quite quickly, leaveing a trail of
indentations in the sand as it moves.

The carrier shells we studied in an aquarium situation
seemed to feed by grazing on the algae growth on rocks
and dead shells in the tank.

Carrier shells cast up rarely on beaches are usually badly
battered and ignored by most beach wanderers. In many
years of beachcombing after storms we have only found
three. The exception was the Mission Bay beach reclama-
tion. Sand for the beach reclamation was dredged from 40
metres depth, off Mangawhai and Pakiri Beaches (see NZ
Geographic No 31, July-September, 1996) and numerous
live carrier shells were found on the beach. Apart from this
sort of occurrence, they are destined to remain one of
New Zealand’s more unusual and less studied molluscs.

References:

Kreipl, K. and Alf, A., Recent Xenophoridae, Conch
Books, 1999

Ponder, W. F., Xenophoridae of the World, memoir 17,
The Australian Museum, Sydney, 1983

X. neozelanica with stones, bivalves and
solitary coral ornamentation, trawled off
Houhora.

X. neozelanica with large brachiopod,
trawled near Kawau Island, Hauraki Gulf.

X. neozelanica typical of population 30m
near Pandora Bank, off 90 Mile Beach.

35

X. neozelanica with bivalves, tusk shells and
solitary coral from200m, outer Hauraki Gulf.

MAORI BEACH, STEWART ISLAND
by Bev Elliott

Nearly 35 years ago, in March 1970, I stood on the beach at Lee Bay, Stewart Island and looked
towards distant Mount Anglem at 3214 feet, the highest peak on the island. “Some day Fm coming
back to climb you," 1 said. But somehow it never happened, and Mt Anglem remained a faraway
dream. When at last I stood again on the beach at Lee Bay, on Oct. 18*'’ 2004, looking towards Mt
Anglem, I knew it always would be a faraway dream. Old age had caught up with me, and a tramp
of that distance and difficulty, was out of the question. However, 1 was still fit enough to go some of
the way, and 1 was a good deal more venturesome than I was back in 1970. 1 shouldered my pack,
and set off into new territory.

By the time I reached Maori Beach, I was very glad to put that pack down. I pitched my tent and set ^

off along the beach without the heavy weight. It was a delightful place, a kilometre of white sand
with gentle waves, blue water and shells! 1 hadn't even been thinking about shells. 1 was there for
the scenery, photos and bird listing for the Ornithological Society. Suddenly it looked as though a
species list of shells would be worthwhile.

First to attract my attention were the huge Gari lineolata. up to 90mm, with attractive rayed !

patterns. There were plenty of Struthiolaria papulosa and nice Alcithoe swainsoni. I had to be very t

selective as they would have to be carried a considerable distance and my pack was heavy enough!

Thracia vitrea were more the weight 1 was prepared to carry, numerous halves and 4 complete; also
Sclapomactra scalpellum. Large Tanea zelandica were common, some canying Alcithoe eggs.

There was a good large Turbo granosa. I was able to find about 50 species and added several more
by getting down on hands and knees and peering closely at a line of fine beach drift - aided by
numerous sandflies! The tide was high and I didn't have a chance to check the rocks at low tide.

I walked to Port William the next day, a bare sandy beach apart from one nice Astraea helotropium
and then on to Sawyers Beach, where the scenery w'as beautiful, but the shelling was poor. And
there w as Mt Anglem looking so much closer, although I'd only covered a quarter of the distance. I
took a couple of photos of it and that's the closest I'll ever get to it. Then back to Maori Beach for a '

second night and several more walks along the beach, for a total of over 70 species of shells.

36

. Polrleria.

' American Must

Received on: 11-15-06

AMNH UBfUMV

100171511

POIRIERIA

Auckland Museum
Conchology Section

Volume 33, December 2007

ISSN 0032-2377

CONTENTS

f

i-

P.l Molluscs in shelf and bathyal cores from Wanganui Bight
and the East Coast of the North Island

by Margaret S. Morley and Bruce W. Hayward

P.6 An Antarctic Pecten - its polymers and use as a bio-monitor in association with others

by Michael K. Eagle

P.ll Collecting in Antarctica, South Georgia, Falklands and South America

by Margaret S. Morley

P.19 Keppel Bay & Townsville Shows 2007

by Heather Smith

P.21 Figured Stones

by Michael K. Eagle

P. 26 The Perfect Habitat? Fauna living in empty Bankia australis tubes

by Margaret S. Morley and Bonnie A. Bain

P. 32 “The Beautiful Shells of New Zealand” by E. G. B. Moss
reviewed by Ian Scott

P.33 Obituary David H. Baker and Bruce Hazelwood

"Poirieria" is the journal of a private club which is closely associated with the Auckland Museum
Institute.

Reference copies of "Poirieria" are held in the General Library of The Auckland War Memorial
Museum and in the Natural History Library located in the Museum's Natural History Gallery.

We welcome contributions on suitable topics, typed if possible, using Times New Roman 12pt, with
titles 16pt bold, and author 14pt bold. Your co-operation will help keep the appearance of our
journal consistent. If a photo is to be included please allow an appropriate space in the text and
supply captions. A printed copy on A4 paper (not folded) should be sent to: Jenny and Tony
Enderby, PO Box 139, Leigh 0947, New Zealand.

Subscription to "Poirieria" is by membership of the Conchology Section Auckland Museum
Institute (CSAMI).

All correspondence regarding membership, change of address, distribution queries, back issues, etc.
should go to: The Secretary, Private Bag 92018, Auckland, New Zealand.

Molluscs in shelf and bathyal cores from Wanganui Bight and
the East Coast of the North Island

By Margaret S. Morley and Bruce W. Hayward

Summary

Fifty-one molluscs (25 gastropods, 24 bivalves and 2 scaphopods), one
echinoderm and one coral are listed from core samples taken by the French research
vessel Marion Dufresne from Wanganui Bight and off the east coast of the North Island
during January and February 2006.

Introduction

In January-February 2006, BWH was on board the French research vessel
Marion Dufresne which was taking long cores of seafloor sediment around New Zealand
(Fig. 1) for a variety of paleoclimate and sedimentary history purposes. Molluscs were
absent or uncommon in most of the 32 cores that were taken. One core (MD06-2992)
recovered a rich fauna of larger molluscs and bryozoa and these were separately
collected and identified. All other mollusc faunas reported here came from samples that
were taken for foraminiferal studies. When the mud was washed away from these
samples, small or broken shells were found on the 150 pm sieve. Thus the molluscs
recorded are not an exhaustive list of species that might be present, but just a small
sampling. Larger samples (c. 50 cc) were available from core catchers and these usually
had more molluscs than the smaller samples (20 cc) from within the cores themselves.

The core catcher is an apparatus with upward pointing teeth that is screwed on
the base of the core barrel and prevents the sediment core from falling out of the barrel
as it is pulled out of the sediment and hauled back up to the ship. About 10 cm length of
the deepest cored sediment from the bottom of the core is trapped in the core catcher
when it is removed from the core. As this sediment cannot be recovered without
disturbing its sequence, it is often of little value for detailed studies and therefore larger
samples of this disrupted sediment is available for studies (like ours) that do not require
the sequence to be retained.

Fig. 1. Location of Marion Dufresne core sites. All site numbers are prefixed by MD06-.

Some mollusc identifications are tentative because specimens are juveniles,
damaged or only pieces. Many species are represented by only one specimen (see •
species list). Voucher specimens are in MSM’s collection.

Each core is allocated a unique hyphenated number. The first part (MD06) refers
to the ship Marion Dufresne and the year (2006). The second four numeral part is
sequentially the number of cores taken from the ship since it was launched.

Because of the high sediment supply to the East Coast, all the samples from this
area and the one from the Bay of Plenty are likely to be of Holocene or latest Pleistocene
age (probably all younger than 20,000 years old). The one sample from Wanganui Bight
did not penetrate the seafloor, where it was hoped to retrieve Pleistocene sediment.
Detailed study of interbedded ash beds which is planned by other participants will
undoubtedly help provide more accurate ages for these samples.

MD06-2992 and 3003 in water depths of 60 m and 1389 m respectively have the
greatest diversity and abundance of molluscs.

Faunas from individual cores (Fig. 2, species list)

Wanganui Bight

MD06-2992, core catcher sample from seafloor.

40° 16.30’S 175° 04.74’E, 60 m water depth.

22 species are recorded from this sample. All except two species present are still
living today. The fragile specimen of the muricid Xymene bonneti is a Castlecliffian
fossil, 1.6-0.34 million years old (Beu and Maxwell 1990 p 359), it has damage to the
spire and outer lip of the aperture. The presence of a live specimen of Corbula indicates
that the fauna is a mix of modem and fossil Pleistocene (Castlecliffian) molluscs.
Seismic profiles indicate that Pleistocene strata directly underlie the site and they are
probably the source of the reworked fossils.

Powell identified the tusk shell Siphonodentalium delicatulus by the distinctive
six slits at the apex (1979, p.354 named Cadulus delicatulus). The 3 mm juvenile tusk
shell in this sample differs from Powell’s description having eight narrow longitudinal
ribs which terminate in sharp spines at the apex creating eight slits (Fig. 2).

Hawkes Bay

MD06-2997, core catcher sample from 3 m below sea floor.

39° 52.07’S 177° 22.91’E, 385 m water depth.

MD06-2998, core catcher sample from 30.3 m below sea floor.

39°25.16’S 175° 28.16’E, 89 m water depth.

MD06-3000, sample from 56-60 cm below seafloor.

39°21.83’S, 177° 24.88’E, 70 m water depth.

The sculpture on fragments of a pectinind valve allowed a tentative
identification of Veprichlamys kiwaensis.

2

Fissidentalium

zelandicum

Melliteryx

pan/a

Myllitella

vivens

Yoldiella

finlayi

Pusillina

huttoni

Uberella

vitrea

Delectopecten

forsterianum

Xymene

bonneti

i

Siphonodentalium

delicatulum

Marama

hurupiensis

Nucula

nitidulaformis

Tugali

suteri

Fig. 2. Some of the molluscs in the Marion Dufresne cores. Drawings by Powell ( 1979)
and Margaret Morley.

Poverty Bay

MD06-3001, core catcher sample from 22.5 m below sea floor.

38°44.31’S, 178 13.08’E, 59 m water depth.

MD06-3002, sample from 20 m below sea floor.
39° 07.83’S 178° 40.3 1’E, 2293 m water depth.

3

MD06-3003, sample from 12.88 m below sea floor.

39° 02.79’S, 178° 32.17’E, 1398 m water depth.

The gastropods (Fig. 2) included a turrid Austrodrillia sola, but unfortunately the
missing body whorl precluded firm identification, this species has been previously
recorded off the Three Kings Islands in 180 m (Powell 1979). Also present were the
siphon whelk Penion sp., turret shell Zeacolpus pagoda, microscopic shells Odostomia
incidata, Zeradina cf. producta and a planktonic mollusc, Clio pyramidata ?. A deep
water species Bonellitia superstes was damaged.

Bivalves included Leionucula strangeil, pieces of lEuciroa galatheae, Neilo
australis, Nucula sp. and Tawera sp. A juvenile valve of Marama hurupiensis is a
Tongaporutuan fossil aged 10-7 million years (Beu and Maxwell 1990).

MD06-3006, core catcher sample from 25.4 m below sea floor.

38° 57.60’S 178°10.92’E, 122 m water depth.

This sample contained the gastropods; knobbed Austrofusus glans,
wentletrap Boreoscala zelebori and pyramidellid Chemnitzia sp.

Two tusk shells (scaphopods) were present, Siphonodentalium delicatulum ?,
previously Cadulus delicatula and Fissidentalium zelandicum.

The bivalves tentatively identified from pieces or juveniles included Scintillona
zelandica, Elliptotellina urinatoria and a 2 mm specimen of Dosinia lambata. One
specimen of Hiatella arctica was also present. This species is recorded to depths of 180
m (Powell 1979) and commonly live in depths of 6-10 m in the Bay of Islands (Morley
and Hayward 1999).

Pieces of test and one spine of an echinoderm were found.

Bay of Plenty

MD06-3017, core catcher sample from 106 m below sea floor.

37°44.77’S 176° 59.77’E, 106 m water depth.

A microscopic gastropod Zeradina sp.was found in this sample together with
small bivalves Melliteryx parva, Myllitella vivens and Scintillona sp.

Species list

Marion Dufresne cores Jan-Feb 2006 (prefixed by MD06-)

KEY p=piece, l=numbers of specimens

2992 2997 2998 3000 3001 3002 3003 3006 3017

1

P
1
1

1 1 1

1

P
P

Gastropoda

Agatha georgiana
Amalda sp.
Antisolarium egenum
Austrodrillia sola?
Austrofusus glans
Bonellitia superstes
Boreoscala zelebori
Chemnitzia sp.

Clio pyramidata ?
Maoricolpus roseus
Maoricrypta costata
Maoricrypta monoxlya
Odostomia incidata
Penion cuvieranus?
Penion sp.

4

2992 2997 2998 3000 3001 3002 3003 3006 3017

Pusillina huttoni 1

Tugali suteri 1

Uberella vitrea 1 1

Xymene bonneti 1

Zeacolpus ascensus? 1

Zeacolpus pagoda 2 11

Zeradina cf. producta 1

Zeradina sp. p

Scaphopoda

Siphonodentalium delicatulum? 11 11

Fissidentalium zelandicum 2 p p

Bivalvia

Barbatia novaezelandiae 2

Cardita aoteana 3

Corbula zelandica 6

Delectopectenfosterianum p

Dosina zelandica 3

Dosinia lambata ? p

Elliptotellina? urinatoria p

Euciroa galatheae? p

Hiatella arctica 1

Leionucula strangei 1

Mactra discors 1

Maorimactra ordinaria 6

Marama hurupiensis 1 1

Melliteryx parva 1 1

Mesopecten convexum 1

Myllitella vivens 1

Neilo australis p

Nucula nitidulaformis 1

Nucula sp. p

Ostrea chilensis 2

Pecten novaezelandiae 5

Scintillona zelandica p p

Talochlamys zelandiae 17

Tawera sp. p

venerid p

Venericardia purpurata 1 1 1

Veprichlamys kiwaensis ? p

Yoldiella finlayi 1

Echinoderm

indet. p

Coral

Monomyces rubrum 1

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Ashwaq Sabaa who scanned the drawings.

References

Beu, A.G. and Maxwell, P.A. 1990: Cenozoic Mollusca of New Zealand. New Zealand
Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin 58, 518 p.

Morley, M.S. and Hayward, B.W. 1999: Inner shelf Mollusca of the Bay of Islands, New
Zealand, and their depth distribution. Records of the Auckland Museum 36: 1 19-
140.

Powell, A.W.B. 1979: New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, 500 p.

5

AN ANTARCTIC PECTEN - ITS POLYMERS AND USE AS
A BIO-MONITOR IN ASSOCIATION WITH OTHERS

MICHAEL K. EAGLE

Mention the common name scallop and it immediately conjures up a vision of succulenL
tasty, crumbed morsel melting in butter and diced parsley. Scallops are often simply
referred to as “pectens”, belonging in the superfamily Pectinoidea, family Pectinidae,
which has a number of genera and several hundred species occupying both sub-tidal to
bathyal ecological niches. A diversity of patterns and colours means that specimens are
appealing to collectors. Scallops are classified as bivalves; two half-shells (or ‘valves’)
attached to each other by a strong hinge. The adductor muscle (large and tasty) is
attached to the centre of each valve so that when it contracts valves close, protecting the
animal’s viscera. The adductor muscle exerts force only to close the shell, not to open it.
For that to happen, a little pad of protein (a natural elastic made of abductin) located Just
inside the hinge is squashed when the shell closes, but as the adductor muscle relaxes, the
pad rebounds and pushes the valve back open. Scallops are opportune filter-feeders on
soft substrates.

When I was in America recently, I was careful to purchase only closed valves of
the giant Pacific Scallop Patinopecten caurinm Gould 1850, knowing that they were
very much alive and well in tightly shut shells. Other molluscs such as squid and octopus
are well known for their jet-propelled locomotion, shooting smoothly along in the water
column. Pectinids are also able to swim. Some species are sufficiently limber enough to

wobble unsteadily through the water by
‘flapping’ their valves, usually as a lift-off
escape mechanism from their main predator,
sea-stars. The jetting mechanism works when
the adductor muscle closes the shell,
squirting water out; when the adductor
muscle relaxes the shell is popped back open
by the spongy pad allowing water back
inside to replenish supply, awaiting the next
‘jet’. The cycle is repetitive until safety or a
better food supply is achieved. An array of
weak, minute eyes peeking out of the tentacle
mantle enables sensory perception. A weak byssal notch exists on the anterior of the right
valve. Shells are characteristically ‘fan-shaped’ with variation in surface sculpturing and
the size or shape of the hinge-like ‘ears’ either side of the umbones (beak).

The endemic New Zealand Scallop, Pecten novaezelandiae Reeve, 1853 is well
known in this way, but also as a humble ashtray, jelly moulds for children’s parties, paper
clip tray, and the archetypical spade for making sand-castles at the beach. Even the
British and Mediterranean Great Scallop, Pecten maximis (Linnae, 1758) is re-known as
an emblem hand-sewn to the cloaks of Christian knights, then symbolic of participating
in the Middle East Crusades. It is also well-known today as the logo of multinational
Shell Petroleum. Most common scallops are found in tropical to temperate seas and are

6

generally easy to obtain either by amateur or commercial fishing. Those occurring in
deep water are not so common and much more difficult to obtain as are the very few
species that today live in Polar waters.

During four trips to the Antarctic at the end of last year and the beginning of this
year, I was fortunate to acquaint myself up close with the locally common Antarctic
species Colbeck’s Adamussium colbecki (E. A. Smith, 1902). I had previously

been given some disarticulated valves of the mollusc by Dan Hikuroa, University of
Auckland on his return from a trip to the British Antarctic Survey base, Rothera,
Antarctic Peninsula. I was delighted to receive them. On my trips, I occasionally I had the
use of a Zodiac inflatable and spent time slipping in and out of icebergs, as well as
sampling local marine faunas. Appropriate permits allowed for the collection of voucher
specimens including limpets such as Nacella concinna (Strebel, 1908) and small
bivalves. It was on one such trip in the vicinity of the Yalour Islands, Antarctic Peninsula
that quite remarkably, I came upon a closed, beach-drift specimen of A. colbecki,
occasionally seen washed up, predated or scavenged and disarticulated, but rarely alive.
Some sort of animal regurgiMion had facilitated the occurrence as dried mucus and

voided food including crustaceans,
surrounded the specimen lodged amongst
volcanic cobbles. Although used to a
different pressure regime, temperature,
and salinity, the specimen somewhat
revived in a bucket of cold seawater, and
later, when gently prodded, swam. I
eventually released it into the sea.

A. colbecki is found throughout
Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula,
South Shetland Islands, South Orkney
Islands, and South Sandwich Islands at
depths from 0 to 1,500 meters. It is a
free-living scallop and has a thin, fragile,
sometimes flexible shell with 15 to 22
radial ribs, fine concentric striations, and small ears. Shell pigmentation of A. colbecki is
plum to reddish-purple to brovm and a maximum shell length of twelve centimeters has
been recorded. Although it is characterized by a patchy distribution, A. colbecki is
considered the most important bivalve of Antarctica, particularly in relation to its
functional role in the transfer of energy from the water column to the benthos.

The jet-power phase of A. colbecki is limited to a short part of the valve
‘clapping’ cycle. Adamussium colbecki makes the most of what power and thrust it can
produce. Swimming duration may be longer than ten seconds, covering up to 45
centimeters, with level swimming speeds measured by some studies at between 12 and
23.5 centimeters per second. Adamussium colbecki lightens the swimming load by
having thin shells, a weakness offset by minute corrugations. As inefficient as jetting is
for ail scallops, A. colbecki faces even tougher challengers. Adductor muscle output
decreases in the cold and cold water is more viscous, providing additional resistance and
drag when swimming. Adamussium colbecki is barely able to sustain level motion as it
also has to contend with temperatures of minus degrees Celsius temperatures which

7

should make the spongy abductin pad less elastic, less able to store energy, and harder to
push a valve open. In A. colbecki the shell contributes less to the animal’s total weight
than it does to temperate or tropical scallop species, providing the adductor muscle less
shell to close with each jet cycle. Recent research has ascertained that A. colbecki has a
closing adductor muscle half the size as that of a warm-water bivalve of similar size,
reducing weight to carry around. However, the combination of reduced shell mass and
adductor muscle translates into a severe handicap for the scallop, equating to a ratio of
jetting power to animal mass only 20 percent of a comparative warm-water scallop. The
situation suggests that shutting the shell takes less energy but incurs more time to do so,
the reason why A. colbecki can barely ‘jet’. To make up for the reduction in adductor
muscle size the Antarctic scallop’s abductin possesses a better response to temperature
than that of temperate-zone molluscs. The difference in performance is small; the energy
returned by the Antarctic abductin is a minor component of that needed to ‘jet’. A
polymer pad that retains bounce in intense cold, however, would be useful in the space-
programme or deep-sea submersibles and further research to synthesize this continues.

Epibionts of^. colbecki confirm the importance of the mollusc’s shell as an eco-
engineer and as a natural secondary substrate for many taxa. Due to its ability to swim,
the scallop may contribute to the dispersal of many epibiotic and symbiotic species,
thence increasing their survival prospects in an oligotrophic (food scarce) and seasonally

hostile environment. Calcareous
foraminifera Cibicides refulgens colonises
the shell of A. colbecki and grazes algae
and bacteria living on the surface as well as
suspension feeding through a pseudopodial
net deployed from a superstructure of
agglutinated tubes extending from the
foram’s calcareous test. The foraminifera
also parasitizes A. colbecki by chemically
dissolving a small area of the scallop shell
to free-feed on amino acids produced in the
scallop's extrapallial cavity. Adamussium colbecki may have the bush sponge
Homaxinella balfourensis (Ridley & Dendy, 1886) attached growing up to fourteen
centimeters in height (particularly if the scallop is larger than seven centimeters), near the
shell's peripheral margin. Obviously the sponge seeks the water flow over the scallop
shell in order to facilitate its own filter feeding. Adamussium colbecki may also be
colonized on either shell by a small (two millimetres high) hydroid Hydractinia angusta
Hartlaub, 1904 which eats the tube feet and pedicellariae of sea urchins (including the
cidaroid Sterechinus neumayeri (Meissner, 1900)), that algal graze on the surface of the
scallop's shell. A. colbecki shells are very thin and such grazing may damage the shell. H.
angusta eats the bio-film (that includes agglutinated diatoms) able to be removed by its
tentacles from the shell of A. colbecki, as well as any sediment stirred-up by the scallop
‘clapping’ when swimming. H. angusta also reduces settlement of A. colbecki larvae
onto the shells of adults, thereby successfully competing for shell space, retaining a
commensual epibiotant relationship.

8

Adamussium colbecki spawns and fertilizes at the start of ice-melt in September.
Unprotected larvae live for more than 100 days feeding on plankton. Juvenile zl. colbecki
(up to five centimeters in size), are often attached by byssal threads to the upper shell of
adults, a survival mechanism which provides a tiered filter feeding arrangement in the
water column and helps juveniles lessen their visibility as prey by giving them camoflage
and which also takes advantage of the much faster, stronger swimming predator escape
response of an adult. A. colbecki predators include the seastars Notasterias armata
Koehler, 1911, Lophaster gaini Koehler, 1912, and Odontaster validus (Koehler 1911),
the brittle star Ophiosparte gigas Koehler 1922, the proboscis worm Parborlasia
corrugatus (McIntosh, 1 876), the Antarctic carnivorous gastropod Neobuccinum eatoni
(Smith, E.A., 1875), and the fish Trematomus bernacchii Boulenger 1902. A. colbecki
has a swimming escape response to predators and disturbances, and has been observed
swimming twenty meters above the bottom. As A. colbecki is a filter-feeder living in
shallow depressions it makes on the seafloor; its food includes benthic diatoms,
foraminifera, and detritus. The mollusc’s digging of shallow depressions re-suspends
detritus for filter feeding by colbecki which grows much more slowly than scallops in
temperate water. Small A. colbecki specimens (less then fifty millimetres in shell length)
grow at a rate of ten millimetres per year. Larger specimens grow at a rate of 0.8
millimetres per year. Growth curves produced by biological studies indicate that A.
colbecki that are eight centimeters in shell length are estimated to be 14-18 years old,
relatively long lived for a mollusc. A low level of fishing could effectively eradicate A.
colbecki populations.

Regular and effective monitoring using appropriate sentinel organisms (bio-
monitors) such as A. colbecki are used to assess the anthropogenic impact on the pristine
Antarctic environment by natural and human pollution and to facilitate early detection of
negative effects on the ecosystem. Mussels and oysters have previously been used
worldwide as bio-monitors. These bivalve species, however, are absent in Antarctic
waters. Adamussium colbecki and another bivalve, Laternula elliptica (King &.
Broderip 1831) are used instead by virtue of their circum-Antarctic distribution, large
body size, and high population density. These two bivalves are also among the most
common macrofossils found on uplifted beaches around Antarctica. The endemic
Antarctic soft-shelled member of the Latemulidae, L. elliptica is a filter-feeding bivalve,
burrowing deep in the bottom sediment, thereby avoiding being crushed by ice
movement. The species has a delicate, pearly (aragonitic) shell, usually fat and elongate,
gaping at the posterior, with the umbones possessing an external slit, and valves of the
animal lacking teeth in the hinge. Laternula elliptica, is widely distributed around
Antarctica and adjacent islands at depths from 1 to over 400 m, occurring frequently as
dense patches (~ a few hundred inds/m^) in shallow (20-30 m) and sheltered areas. It
grows to a shell length of approximately 10 cm in 20 years or so. Studies have
determined metal concentrations in various tissues of L. elliptica and A. colbecki,
confirm eligibility as sentinel organisms for marine pollution monitoring. A wide range of
natural variability has been found in baseline metal levels of these bivalves among
different body sizes, tissues and also among different geographical localities. Cadmium is
naturally present to some degree in these two herbivorous bivalve species as with other
Antarctic herbivorous organisms. Utilities of histological and sub-cellular level responses
as bio-makers to contaminant exposure have also been suggested in L. elliptica and A.

9

colbecki. The patellid limpet Nacella concinna (previously mentioned) has also been
recognized as a useful bio-monitor. Although not as widely distributed as L. elliptica and
A. colbecki in the Antarctic, N. concinna occurs in high densities about the Antarctic
Peninsula, where base density and expedition traffic is higher than anywhere else in the
Antarctic. Additionally, N. concinna is often the only large organism found living inter-
tidally, an ecological niche most vulnerable to anthropogenic pollutants from these
sources.

Cold often produces gigantism in animals. This is contrary to what has occurred
in A. colbeki. In order to survive Polar seas, the fragile mollusc has physically reduced
size and weight to now be only half the tasty morsel provided by other temperate
scallops. Adamussium colbecki is a true bio-engineer actively participating within the
marine community as a vagrant, benthic water purifier, secondary substrate, host, and
active swimmer able to disperse epibiotant larvae. Evolution of the species has been
driven by the need to develop functional morphology able to operate within an extreme,
seasonal, environment. It is a remarkable scallop, made more so by it’s vast distribution
around the continental shelf of the world’s coldest and southernmost continent,
Antarctica.

References.

1982. Abbott, R.T. & Dance, S.P. Compendium of Seashells. Dutton. 41 1 p.

1991. Wye, K.R. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Shells. Headline. 288 p.

2004 Chiantore, M. et al. Antarctic scallop {Adamussium colbecki) annual growth rate
at Terra Nova Bay. Polar Biology. Springer: 416-419.

1998 Brueggeman, P. et al. Antarctic Field Guide: Bivalvia. NSF Polar Programmes.
2007 Summers, A. Cold squirts. /«: Natural History 07-08. AMNH: 20-21 .

10

Collecting in Antarctica, South Georgia, Falklands and South

America

Margaret S. Morley

Summary

A total of 35 mollusc species (2 chitons, 22 gastropods, 1 1 bivalves) were collected from
Antarctica, South Georgia, Falklands and South America in early 2007. These comprised 10
gastropods and 4 bivalves from South America, including fresh- water species; 4 gastropods
from Antarctica; one gastropod from South Georgia; and 2 chitons, 16 gastropods and 10

bivalves from the Falkland Islands (see species h

Fig. 1 Map of the locations visited

Introduction

From January 16 to Febmary 3
2007, Heather Smith, Alison Stanes
(Heather’s twin) and I made an epic
voyage to Antarctica. The tourist boat M.
S. Andrea with 80 passengers left Ushuaia
in Argentina, South America for a nineteen
day cruise across Drake Passage to the
Antarctic Peninsula as far south as 65°14'S,
64° 09^ at the Yalour Islands. Then we
sailed north again to the South Shetlands
Islands, north-east to South Georgia and
finally back to Ushuaia after calling at the
Falkland Islands, a total voyage of 3526
km, mostly in open ocean (Fig. 1). In fact
Drake Passage felt very open with 50 knot
gale force winds, listing 47° to each side
and being pounded by 10 m waves!

During the planning stage we decided that
it would add enormous interest to the trip
to be able to collect shells. To this end I
sent many emails enquiring about who to
contact and what permits we would need to
collect for the Auckland Museum.

After many false starts I finally got a promise of an export permit from South Georgia
which is administered by the United Kingdom. When Andrea arrived there I had an amazing
form to fill in, what was I going to collect, the number of species, how many and their
weight? Fortunately I had prepared a list of possible species using scientific names as
requested. To add to the confusion, the officer that I had been in touch with had gone on
holiday to New Zealand and had not briefed his deputy! I became very nervous about missing
the last zodiac ashore while filling in time-consuming forms. I don’t think the officer was any
wiser when I handed it back!

The second hurdle was a permit to collect in Antarctica. Despite a year of emails and
filling in yet more demanding forms, I was informed only days before we left, that they had
consulted with lawyers and because I retain a United Kingdom passport I didn’t need a permit
after all! Although this was a great relief, I was also astounded and disappointed that one of
the world’s most pristine places had so little protection. This made it difficult when

passengers landed because we had been strongly told NO collecting by the tour operator, not
even a stone or feather. I had permission but no permit to prove it, so I just spread the word I
was collecting for the Museum.

Calafate, Argentina

After arriving in Buenos Aires, Argentina we flew south to Calafate (Fig. 1). Although
a long way from the sea. Heather and I managed to do some collecting across a kilometre
broad expanse of marsh and boggy swamp along the edge of Lake Argentino. A relentless,
wild wind threatened to sweep us away, despite the bleak conditions our perserverance was
rewarded by finds of Chilina gibbosa (Fig. 2), Succinea sp., Potamopyrgus sp., Planorbis sp.
and the small h\\d\\e. Pisidium casertanum. is a world wide genus (Powell 1979 p.

297). In New Zealand it lives in high numbers in dry sand dunes, surprisingly in Argentina it
inhabits swampy, water-logged muddy sand. The spines of the adult Chilina gibbosa were
eroded by the acidic conditions similar to damaged spires in the New Zealand species
Melanopsis trifasciata.

Our next flight was to Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel, promoted as the southern-most
town in the world. Heather and I were irresistibly drawn to the only accessible bit of coast in
town, a breakwater near the naval base. We had to clamber down unstable boulders

Fissurella picta

Nacella concinna

Nacella magellanica

Trophon geversianus

Septifer bifurcatus

Humilaria exalbida

Acanthina monodon

Erodona mactroides

Trophon geversianus

Pareuthria sp.

Chilina gibbosa

Ketguelenella aff. lateralis

Fig. 2 Some mollusc species collected.

12

to get to the water and expected to be fired on or possibly arrested at any moment! Our efforts
resulted in very cold hands and a few specimens of Siphonaria sp. and Nacella magellanica.
I also spent a morning searching the town causeway. The overgrowth of Ulva seaweed, an
abundance of a single species of huge isopod 20 mm long, not to mention the smell,
confirmed my suspicions that the area is polluted. There was an interesting selection of
shells, crabs and a sea urchin washed in (see species list). The specimens of Trophon
geversianus showed a wide range of sculpture from spiral to clathrate, some developing
frilled axials (Fig. 2). A dominant species in the wash up was the large, bronze-tinged limpet
Nacella magellanica. Small periwinkles Laevilitorina calginosa were common on high tidal
rocks.

Antarctica

Prior to the trip I studied the literature and even sketched possible species but
intertidal species are rare. This is because the shore is only ice free for four short months of
the year. Not only is there ice on the surface but also on the sea floor to a depth of 30 m,
known as anchor ice (Fig. 3). The species in the Auckland Museum are all from dredgings in
depths of over 30 m collected during the Discovery Expeditions in the 1930’s. At that depth
there is a rich fauna.

I hoped to collect some of the sediment from Andrea's, anchor, more emails were sent,
personal approaches made and containers distributed on board! However, often the ship did
not anchor but motored around while Zodiacs took passengers ashore. Even when she did
anchor, the sediment is mostly glacial till so it didn’t stick to the anchor. I did however get
great support from the Croatian mate who, despite little English, willingly gave me latitude
and longitude as we left each location.

An unexpected source of molluscs was penguins! They eat Nacella whole, the animal
is digested in their acid stomach then the shells are regurgitated later in a small pile around the
penguin colony, sometimes 1 km from the beach. Although an exciting find, these are not
Shell Show quality due to etching by stomach acid! We did see, tantalisingly close, hundreds
of living Nacella from the Zodiac but the rough conditions made collection impossible.
Maybe the ones that live tightly packed in crevices on exposed rocks don’t get eaten by the
penguins (or collected)!

South Shetlands

After taking obligatory photos of noisy chin strap penguins I searched low tide to find
Nacella magellanica living on rocks under seaweed together with a predator muricid.

13

Acanthina monodon (Fig. 2). Amongst the seaweed were very active, huge, red amphipods
measuring up to 30 mm. An algal wash revealed a micromollusc, Eatoniella which appeared
to me to be identical to E. kerguelenella chiltoni found at New Zealand’s Subantarctic
Islands.

South Georgia

The ship sailed from the Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia crossing the Antarctic
Convergence where the Antarctic waters with a temperature of 0°C, meet the warmer waters
of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. North of this convergence there is a noticeable
increase in water and air temperature and the winters are not so severe, so I was hopeful of
better collecting. At St. Andrews Bay a few regurgitated Nacella concinna were in piles
around the extensive king penguin colony of 150,000 pairs. These limpets were large and low
in profile (Fig. 2).

On one shore excursion at South Georgia I declined to view yet another penguin
colony in order to explore every habitat at low tide. I braved aggressive fur seals and piles of
ragged, moulting elephant seals all to no avail, not finding a single mollusc. On a later stop at
the tiny town of Grytviken the more sheltered shore promised much, but a paltry one to two
species were all the reward. So much for the hard won export permit!

Scotia Arc

From South Georgia to the Falkland Islands Andrea followed the submerged volcanic
Scotia Arc along the plate boundary. Zelaya (2005) describes total of 73 shallow water
bivalves, including 18 undescribed species and new records for a further 51 species. The only
place where Scotia Arc is above sea level is at Shag Rocks.

Falkland Islands

Stanley

At last, the slightly warmer habitat was home to a diverse fauna. Stanley township
had a long shore line mostly protected by a sea wall but it was possible to climb down in
places to hunt through the wash up. A howling gale was unpleasant and the intertidal zone
had its pollution problems highlighted by an overgrowth of sea lettuce, Ulva. I discovered
after I had been wading around, that Stanley sewage is soon to be treated, but currently is
released directly into the sea! The Harbour Master, a diminutive lady in the Museum, told me
she has lived in Stanley for 40 years and has fond memories of playing on pristine beaches
with her brother. They used to find a wealth of marine life including pink keyhole limpets.
Fortunately I still found a range of marine species to collect such as barnacles, crabs,
amphipods, isopods and marine worms.

West Arm

During a visit to West Arm, passengers walked over the privately owned island to
enjoy nesting activities of black-browed albatross and rock hopper penguins among alpine
vegetation. Returning from the walk I managed to collect briefly on the shore, when this
started to prove lucrative with finds of a slipper shell Crepidula and bivalve Gaimardia, I
became very deaf when called to board the zodiac! In a book on the Falkland Islands on
Andrea it said Gaimardia live attached to kelp just off the beach. The dazzling white quartz
sand looked out of place on a semi- sheltered beach.

New Island

The best collecting of the trip was at New Island on the west side of Falkland Island. I
gave penguins a miss as fortunately we were ashore at low tide. Intriguing fragile white

14

bivalves were washing in. The identity of these baffled me long after the trip so I sent some to
Richard Willan who identified them as Erodona mactroides. They live in fresh or brackish
water so must have washed down a stream nearby, though neither Heather nor I could recall
seeing one. A rocky area had plenty of tumable rocks. The gale force wind made collecting a
challenge as specimens tended to get snatched from your hand! Here I saw live keyhole
limpets Fissurella picta with their oversized body attached under rocks (Fig. 4). To my
delight some were pink, just like the harbour master had remembered at Stanley when she was
a child.

Fig. 4. A living Fissurella picta New Island,
FalkJands Islands.

Andrea 's marine biologist Gustavo joined me turning really big boulders revealing a
diverse fauna of crabs, isopods, amphipods, sponges, worms, anemones and molluscs. The
molluscs included a large buccinid, Pareuthria sp., Nacella fugiensis, Crepidula dilatatus,
and small Margarella sp. among the seaweeds. A few large specimens of live Trophon
geversianus were attached under rocks and overhangs. Familiar blue mussels, Mytilus
galloprovincialis dominated a wide zone of the intertidal rocks. Ribbed mussels, Aulacomya
atra were common near low tide. Large white bivalves Humilaria exalbida were washing in
(Fig. 2). Bags of sediment and algae revealed micromolluscs were present e.g. Paxula,
Mysella, Powellsetia and Neolepton. On high tide rocks were tight clusters of attractively
ribbed Kerguelenella lateralis (Fig. 2). This wide-spread species lives from Macquarie Island
to South America, South Georgia and the Falklands (Powell 1979 p. 293).

On my return to Auckland airport gremlins had struck, my bag, plus all my specimens,
was nowhere to be found.To my intense relief several days later it reappeared allowing sorting
to commence. Live taken specimens were put into ethanol for Auckland Museum’s wet
collections, others cleaned for the dry collections. Most have now been identified, all are
being accessioned to produce labels and finally put safely into storage. Collecting is the easy
part!

Discussion

Despite being on the other side of the world some of the species found were familiar
from visits to the South Island, or New Zealand’s Subantarctic. e.g. Mytilus galloprovincialis,
Aulacomya atra, Kerguelenella aff. lateralis. The buccinid Pareuthria sp. has close affinities
with Pareuthria campbelli found on Campbell Island (Fig. 2). Both species have a dull grey
exterior and dark aperture, but those from Campbell Island do not have prominent axials or
the strong shoulder of the Falkland Island specimens. These New Island specimens were
common under low tide rocks, the largest measuring 40 mm in height. The small bivalve
Lasaea hinemoa living in crevices in the wall at high tide in Stanley, Falkland Islands looked
identical to the species that lives in a similar habitat in New Zealand. The affinity of some of
these species may be due to dispersal in the Circumpolar Current.

The Potamopyrgus specimens found on the shores of Lake Argentina appear to record
an extension of published range. Powell (1979) recorded the genus Potamopyrgus from New
Zealand and southern and eastern Australia. He mentions that the species “P. jenkinsi".

15

common in Europe, is thought to have been accidentally introduced from New Zealand or
Australia. The range across Europe continues to extend and has been found in the Czech
Republic (Cemohorsky 1995). Harris (1996) recorded Potamopyrgus antipodarum in
Yellowstone National Park, United States in 1981. The suggested methods of introduction are
maritime transport or fish both ruled out for the Lake Argentina population. Specimens may
attach to birds, which seems to be the most likely agent in this case. Large flocks of water-
birds of several species were feeding on the lake and its margins. Bird migration routes or
DNA study on the Potamopyrgus may trace the origin of this introduction.

A few identification problems require more work, this is made more difficult as there
is sparse literature on intertidal species. There also seems to be different names for the same
species, depending on which reference you use. Nacella magellanica appears to be a very
variable species, the specimens from Antarctica having subobsolete radial ribs while the
South American specimens are more strongly ribbed. The interior is a rich chocolate bronze
often with white rings and flecks. A reference book on Andrea called the Falkland’s limpet
Nacella deaurata.

The specimens of Trophon geversianus washed up at Ushuaia, Argentina and at
Stanley, Falkland Islands, showed a series of specimens with sculpture ranging from spiral to
clathrate but appeared to be all the same species (Fig. 2). The specimens of Septifer bifurca
found living at high tide at Stanley could be juvenile Aulacomya atra.

The meagre collection from the Antarctic Peninsula was not a surprise, but I had
hoped South Georgia would prove to have more mollusc species. However, Zelaya (2005) on
the basis of data from different invertebrate taxa includes South Georgia (part of the Scotia
Arc), in the Antarctic region.

I collected sediment samples from all locations but the only ones containing
foraminifera were from the Falkland Islands and they were almost entirely composed of
Elphidium, the most common intertidal genus globally (Bruce Hayward pers. comm.).

Conclusion

Heather, Alison and I highly recommend this amazing trip giving a brief taste of the
Antarctic Peninsula. We were overwhelmed with the splendid isolation and vastness, both
when viewed from the ship, on our frequent shore visits and during Zodiac cruises. Your
luggage will not be over burdened with specimens, but the unsurpassed splendour of watching
glaciers calving, gasping at unbelievable icebergs of cathedral proportions which glowed deep
blue in their crevices as if lit from within, and vast penguin rookeries with a backdrop of
snowy mountains, is more than enough compensation.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Heather Smith and Alison Stanes for providing much needed
unwavering support during the trip; Bruce Hayward for suggesting improvements and
formatting the article; Hugh Grenfell for drafting the map; Ashwaq Sabaa (Geomarine
Research) for scanning my drawings; Richard Willan for identifying the bivalve Erodona
mactroides; and Wilma Blom for identifying Chilina gibbosa and Pareuthria sp.

References

Cemohorsky, W.O. 1995. An unusual range extension for Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray,
1843). Poirieria 17(4): 12-13.

Hams, A. 1996. New Zealand snail set to colonise the world. Poirieria 19: 30.

Powell, A.W. B. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, 500 p.

Zelaya, D.G. 2005. The bivalves from the Scotia Arc islands: species richness and faunistic
affinities, Scientia Marina 69 (Suppl.2): 1 13-122.

16

Ushuaia, Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctica Jan 2007

Lake Argentine, Calafate, Argentina

Ushuaia, Argentina

Ensenda Bay,Beagle Channel

Yalour,Antarctica Peninsula

Half Moon Bay, South Shetland Is.

Gold Harbour, Antarctica Peninsula

Hercules Bay, Antarctica Peninsula

St Andrews Bay, South Georgia

Stanley, Falklands

West point, Falklands

New Island, Falklands

o=occasional, f=frequent c=common

d=dead, dd=common dead, AW=algal wash

Polyplacophora

Mopalia laevior

d

indet. chiton

0

Gastropoda

Acanthina monodon

0

Chilina gibbosa

c

Crepidula dilatata

d

0

Eatoniella kerguelenensis chiltoni

cAW

oAW

cAW

Fissurella picta

d

0

Kerguelenella aff, lateralis

d

c

Laevilitorina caliginosa

c

dd

Margarella sp.

d

fAW

Nacella concinna

f

Nacella decurata

d

Nacella fuegiensis

0

Nacella magellanica

0

d

d

c

d

f

dd

Pareuthria sp.

d

d

f

Patelloida sp.

d

Paxula transitans

d

Planorbis sp.

0

Potamopyrgus? sp.

c

Powellisetia sp.

fAW

Siphonaria sp.

0

c

Siphonaria sp.1

0

c

Succinea sp.

c

Trophon gevesianus

dd

d

0

Bivalvia

Aulacomya ater

d

0

Erodona mactroides

d

dd

Gaimardia sp.

d

Humilaria exalbida

d

d

d

d

Kidderia aupouria aff. fiordlandica

d

Pisidlum casertanum

c

Lasaea hinemoa

c

Mysella arthuii

d

Mytilus galloprovincialis

d

dd

c

c

Neolepton sp.

oAW

Septifer bifurcatus

d

f

Crustacea

barnacles

c

c

c

crabs

c

c

amphipods

0

0

0

c

ISO pods

c

c

c

Pycnogonida

pycnogonids

0

Echinodermata

sea urchin

d

sea stars

d

0

Polychaeta

marine worms

0

0

Sipuncula

peanut worms

f

Algae

Macrocystis pyrifera

c

Ulva sp.

a

c

c

brown unicellular in snow

c

green unicellular in snow

c

17

Antarctic Experience January 200

Keppel Bay and Townsville Shows 2007

By Heather Smith

What outstanding Shell Shows Keppel Bay and Townsville manage to organise each year. In 2006 I
attended these shows for the first time and enjoyed every minute. So it was with great excitement I
began organising another trip across the Tasman. Last year I flew to Rockhampton and met Bob
and Betty Grange and drove from Keppel Bay to Townsville with them. Picnic lunch of king
prawns on the pink gingham tablecloth was an unforgettable experience. This year I wanted to drive
from Brisbane through to Townsville so I put out a message to Auckland and Wellington Clubs to
see if any one wanted to join me. Jenny Raven President of Wellington Club responded.

After very early morning flights from Wellington and Auckland, Jenny and I meet at 9.00 am on
Tues. July 10th at Brisbane Airport. We hired a Toyota Corolla. To my horror Jenny announced
she’d only slept for 2 and half hours the night before. She was afraid she wouldn’t wake up with her
alarm so she stayed awake. I had done exactly the same thing in Auckland! So with very little sleep
between us we set off for Bundaberg. I drove out of Brisbane. Then Jenny drove while I slept and I
drove while she slept. We lunched at Mooloolaba and then on to Bundaberg. Allan Limpus met us
at the grave yard! We followed him back to his home where we were spoilt for the next two days.
Joan cooked up local dishes of scallops and local fish. Allan showed us his amazing collection of
volutes and took us on a tiki tour of Bundaberg. Eng arrived from Singapore so more shells were
enjoyed. We also visited the Henkes and saw their collection of shells.

Thursday we headed for Yeppoon. Shell World is a shell collectors dream. It’s a must see for
anyone interested in shells. And Ena is so amazing having a house full of 6 guests while she is so
busy working at Shell World and helping with the show arrangements. Friday morning saw me
dropped off at the Keppel Bay Town Hall while Jenny was off to explore the beaches. It was
wonderful meeting up with all the local members again. You are so good to us Kiwi’s. Fortunately
my shells had all arrived in tact and I set about with many others organising entries. Jean and Diane
did a great job marking out where all the entries were to go on the newsprint paper and the many tea
towels hanging from the tables all go towards making a successful display. It’s great fun seeing
each others exhibits and I think we all spend a little time pretending to be judges! Personally I think
the judges can have their job! I congratulate them all on the time they put in and the choices they
make. For me, I greatly appreciate their professional decisions and comments they pass on to us
both verbally and on those little marking sheets! There were many outstanding exhibits and
sometimes there must be 3 firsts but some how they have to choose one! This year Dr Mike Hart
was given the honour of opening the show and presenting the trophies. He gave an impressive
speech on shelling and let us know that there are many contributing factors to the demise of some
shell species. Many, many people spent time admiring all the exhibits. As for the exhibitors, we had
a busy time talking, looking at all the competition and wheeling and dealing with all those dealers!
How do they manage to arrive with more beautiful shells each year? I think they see me coming!
I’m so easily tempted when I see a beautiful shell!

It’s such a novelty to be picked by a bus for Saturday night dinner at the bowling club! What a
service! The multi drawer is always a success with heaps of laughter. It’s great to have everyone
there! Dealers, exhibitors, organisers, friends, travellers, locals and the hard working committee.
What a great night and you can even drink as much as you like and get the bus ride home!

Sunday comes all too quickly and before you know it, it’s time to be packing up. Some of us have
great difficulty getting every one of those shells paeked before the tables need to go be put away.
And then it’s time to say goodbye and for lots of us, a move on to Townsville.

Jenny and I spent three nights with the Bob and Betty at Dingo Beach. It didn’t yield too many
shells but we had some lovely walks and saw some amazing sunrises and sun sets.

On to Townsville. I had a lovely surprise. My daughter and her partner who live in Sydney
happened to be attending a wedding on Magnetic Is the same weekend as the shell show! So Friday
morning saw us heading to the airport to spend 30 minutes with them! She’s getting married in
Sydney on the of Sept, so it was the last time I’ll see her before the wedding. Then it was on to
the Orchid Rooms to meet all the Townsville members and set up more trays of shells with many

19

other contestants. Once again the standard of trays was high and I thanked my lucky stars that I
wasn’t judging. It’s amazing how an empty hall can be transformed into such a wonderful Shell
Show. The pot plants on the tables looked impressive and contribute to a great show. While the
judges went into action I spent a delightful Friday evening having dinner at Bev Swan’s with Grace
Lum Wan and Marg Peach. All day Saturday the Orchid Room buzzed with people talking and
viewing the exhibits. I was happy to shop with the local dealers and appreciate picking up some
Australian Shells. Paul and I seem to be having our own little competition with Cowries and
Pectens. All in good fun of course! Then off to the Pub for a delicious dinner and the first Multi
Draw Raffle. Those of us who had to fly home breathed a sigh of relief when the big items went to
local people! All a load of entertainment. Sunday was another busy day ending with the Shell
related Multi Draw and the busy pack up of shells. A quick goodbye and back to the motel to repack
and be organised for a 4 am trip to the airport next morning. The sunrise on the flight from
Townsville to Brisbane was stunning.

Back to N.Z. by 3.00 pm and I’ve been in a classroom ever since!

The BIGGEST THANK YOU to all those Aussie Conchologists who go out of there way to make
us Kiwi’s feel so welcome and give us such a great time. I’ll be back!

The next challenge is the Australian National Shell Show in March 2008 in Brisbane. We plan to be
there and look forward to catching up with you all again!

Happy shelling! Heather Smith.

Top: Keppel Bay Judges.

Bottom Left: Jenny Raven and her collection.

Bottom Middle: Dr Mike Hart and Val Hart
Bottom Right: Allan Limpus with his volute collection.

20

FIGURED STONES

MICHAEL K. EAGLE

Fossils have piqued people’s imagination for thousands of years. They have been objects
of fear and wonder, lucky charms and medicinal cures. When geological science was in
its infancy and fossils were known only as “figured stones” the Christian Church
attempted to address their curiosity value through study and interpretation of Holy
Scripture. Fossils were assigned exotic names in the course of many attempts to explain
their existence, and these were widely used in Europe by professional and lay person
alike. Curiosities of bizarre shapes and sizes, interesting sculpture, some rare, often
seemed to magically emerge from the ground. To describe them from one another, they
were prefixed with words like ‘tongue’ or ‘toe’ because they resembled parts of the
human body, so that some became associated with the practice of sympathetic medicine -
curing like with like. Animals, both mythical and real also featured in the vocabulary of
the time.

Invertebrate mythical names were the most numerous. Ammonites (or Comu
ammonis) were once thought to be the curled horns of a Greek god, Ammon. Because of
their weird, nacreous, sometimes iron-pyritised and variously sculptured shells,
ammonites were known as ‘snakestones’. Snakes and serpents were seen as devilish,
requiring eradication prior to building a sacred place. Originally, ‘snakestones’ were
thought to be snakes cast out by successive christen saints at St. Hilda, the Saxon abbess

of Whitby, England, who purged them
all prior to building the abbey, then
dedicated it to St. Patrick of Ireland (a
country devoid of snakes). In India,
ammonites were kept in temples by
Hindus to help purify water and these
from ‘float’ material obtained from the
Gandaki River in Nepal were known
as ‘saligrams’. They were believed to

Ammonites humphresianus from the Jurassic Inferior Oolite of England.

be the discus or ‘chakra’ held in one of the six hands of the god Vishnu. Devonian
brachiopods in China were known as Shih-yen, or ‘stone swallows’, which were said to
be able to fly during thunderstorms. ‘Stone swallows’ were also thought to capture a
spirit in anguish and to be able to free it, bringing peace and prosperity to the owner.

The contorted, curved shells of the extinct, European, Jurassic oyster Gryphea
arcuata were thought by English commoners to be the ‘devil’s toenails’. Specimens
unearthed when digging or seen as objects in scree on frittering cliff faces and open
hillsides were thought to represent the manicured clippings. In other parts of the country,
(mainly because of the inflated beak) they were also thought to be the swollen, arthritic

21

joints of spirits and particularly in
Scotland were used in a sympathetic-
medicine approach in an endeavour to
cure joint pain in people. Gryphea
arcuata was also called ‘crouching
stones’, ‘cuckoo shells’, and Milner’s
thumbs. Milner’s thumbs according to
the entry of 10 April 1696 in the diary
of Abraham de la Pryme, were burnt
and powdered shells of Gryphea
arcuata capable of curing the sore
back of a horse in two or three days.

worm tubes.

The guards of extinct belemnites (a fossil squid-like cephalopod), were known by
many names in Europe in the 14^ to 19* Centuries. The first published accounts of
cephalopods (and crinoids) occurred in the later half of the sixteenth century, well before
the establishment of modem systematic nomenclature later instituted by Linnaeus in
1758. Subsequently, literature from this period has been largely ignored. Faithfully
rendered woodcuts illustrating stellate and round forms of belemnites (and crinoids) first

in Conrad Gesner’s De Rerum Fossilium.
Belemnites look like the sharpened tips of
spears and lances; partial specimens like
modem bullets. They have been variously
known in the past as ‘St. Peter’s fingers’,
‘ghostly candles’, and ‘devil’s fingers’. The
ploughed fields of Norfolk chalk and Oxford
clay of England in the Middle Ages
surrendered thousands of belemnites,
appearing as out-washed fossils after
thunderstorms and heavy rain. Myths began
with farmers that they were ‘thunderbolts

Woodcut from Conrad Gesner’s "^De Rerum Fossilium” illustrating belemnites and crinoids.

(lightening) shot to earth by heavenly gods and captured by the earth.

Fossil trilobites did not escape folklore either. Common throughout the world,
these prehistoric arthropods invoked a mythical belief of medicinal properties and good
luck. The trilobite Calymene was once quarried and mined from limestone in the vicinity
of Dudley, England. It was so abundant that during the 1 8th Century
miners supplemented their incomes by selling them as curiosities or
lucky charms. They became locally known as the Dudley Bug and for
many years appeared on the town’s coat-of-arms. The Pahvant
Indians of North America believed trilobites to be ‘water bugs’ and

appeared m Europe in 1565-66 published

An enfolded specimen of Calymene blumenbachii from the Wenlock Beds, Ludlow, England.

22

possessed medical properties if worn as a necklace. Their belief was so complete that
they thought that ‘water-bugs’ could prevent any illness and render them immune from
stray bullets during the Wild West era. Trilobites were also deemed to be demons by
some South American tribes, who considered them spirits from the under- world living
inside the earth.

Just as Christian Crusaders sewed the modem scallop Pecten maximus to their
cloaks as a symbol of their participation in the Holy Lands, many collected Late Jurassic
Balanocidaris (sea urchin) tests which they called ‘jewstones’ after the religion of the
people living there. They were usually worn as lucky amulets. Apothecaries of ancient
Egyptian communities dating around 650BC used
to grind the inflated, bladder-like stones into
powder to be used as a cure for urinary tract
problems. Fossilised tests of spatangoid echinoids
(also sea urchins) such as Micraster went by the
name ‘hearts’ in the chalk districts of England.

Peasants thought them the hearts of spirits
inhabiting the land. Even Foraminifera feature
famously in folklore. The Eygptian pyramids of
Giza are built of Eocene and Oligocene limestone
made up almost entirely of the disc or lenticle-
shaped skeleton of the coiled, single-celled
organism Nummulites.

Micraster coranguinum from the White Chalk, Leske, England.

Strabo the Geographer in the first century BC was told that they were the remnants of
food fed to slaves whilst building the pyramids. Because some species are similar in size
and shape to coins, they were also thought of by some Mediterranean residents as
‘angel’s money’.

Nummulites puschi collected from Peyrehorade, Pyrenees.

Vertebrates as well as invertebrates were described in this manner. In Japan fossilised
shark’s teeth of the prehistoroic great white shark Carcharodon megalodon (perhaps the
largest predator fish to ever live at about 1 7 metres long), were thought to be the pointed
thumbnails of Tengu Man, a mythical mountain goblin. Their similarity in shape and size
of animal tongues, as well as their double serrated edges, led to the European idea that

23

they were the petrified tongues of ‘devil-serpents’. Tonguestones were considered an
antidote to poison. It was fairly common practice in British medieval times to dip
tonguestones into a cup of wine given to one at a banquet or ball in an effort to neutralise
the effects of a possible poisoning. Many tonguestones have been collected from the
island of Malta and their evidence was used to support the folklore of St. Paul who was
said to have been shipwrecked on the island in AD60. St. Paul was supposedly
bitten by a snake that rose out of the fire built to warm
and dry the shipwrecked sailors. He is supposed to have
grasped the fiery reptile and flung it back into the fire,
cursing all the snakes on the island at the same time. His
action is deemed to have caused them to lose their eyes
and tongues.

The extinct Jurassic and Cretaceous fish
Lepidotes frequently lost hard, round, crushing teeth
from their jaws. When fossilised, these teeth appeared
like perfectly formed, little, blackened stones. The
Roman natural historian Pliny the Elder in 23-79AD
linked them to the legendary but mythical ‘jewels’ that
were said to exist in the heads of toads, hence the name

Tooth of a Charcharodon shark thought to be a‘tonguestone\

‘toadstones’. Toadstones’, ground up and administered orally were generally thought a
cure for epilepsy and an antidote to poison.

Embodied in early publications are the descriptions of objects dug from the earth
in personal collections often purported to have medicinal uses. Perceived medicinal use
of such fossils may have been an important factor for the attention that they received in
sixteenth century publications. Little continuity existed from one author to the next,
despite communications and mentor-student relationships. For example, living and fossil
crinoids were not reconciled as one and the same at this time, since living comatulids
were considered ‘starfish’, and fossil crinoid columnals deemed inanimate curios. It was
only at the close of the 16* Century that crinoid circular and pentalobate stem columnals
were recognised as relatives and incorporated into an artificial classification scheme. An
ongoing fascination with these ‘stone lilies’, as well as many other collected stone
curiosities, led people to believe they were shaped by unknown ‘subterranean forces’.
This idea persisted beyond Archbishop James Ussher’s 1654 ecclesiastical calculations
that the world was created in 6 days, being completed at 9.00 am on 26 October 4004 BC.
Somewhat undeterred by this edict, scientific exploration of the natural world continued
to proceed and the realization that eroded landscapes and sedimentary strata represented
vast amounts of time and inherent fossils, indicated an immense variety of life now
known to be extinct. However, at this time (and for the same general ecclesiastical
reasons) extinction was not accepted as having occurred; species not seen living were
argued as existing elsewhere in the world and yet to be discovered. Two examples
exemplify science of the period. A short paper by a Mr. Lifter published in the
Philosophical Transactions (Abridged version published in 1802) of the Royal Society of
London in 1674 remonstrates with Agricola (1494-1555) that his so called Urochites’ or
''entrochV (fossil stalked crinoid columnals) otherwise known to the English as ‘St.

■

t-'i

24

Cuthbert‘s beads’ in Yorkshire or ‘screw-stones’ in
Derbyshire are '‘lapides informes'' with some specimens
‘supposed to incrustate divers roots’. A further paper in the
same journal by a Mr Beaumont in 1676 entitled “Concerning
Rock Plants, and their growth” offers; “ But I am inclined to
the opinion, that these rock-plants are lapides fui generis, and

not parts of plants or animals petrified and we cannot well

imagine how so many species, diffused through many parts of
the whole earth, should all together happen to be loft; so that,
upon the whole, this seems to me a considerable objection
against those who maintain that all figured stones in the earth
are petrifactions of plants or animals; to which opinion Steno,

The crinoid Pentacrinus fossilis from the Lower Lias, Lyme Regis, England.

in his dissertation concerning solids naturally contained within solids, adheres”. Steno
was a physician in the mid 18* Century who lived and worked in Florence, Italy. It was
he who first compared fossil and modem specimens after dissecting a large fish caught
near Livemo in 1666 and proved that the tonguestones that fell out of rocks were in fact
the teeth of ancient sharks.

The Scottish geologist James Hutton propounded the postulate of biostratigraphy
in 1785, which was subsequently expanded by colleague John Playfair in 1802, but left to
the English geologist Charles Lyell to expound in his massive work “Principles of
Geology” published in 1830-1833. Advances in nautical technology in the 1800’s
enabled researchers to probe the sea in a scientific manner. Many marine phyla were
netted and dredged, finally to be understood for what they were, ‘living fossils’. Initially
cmdely helmeted divers, later scuba divers captured live individuals from shallow marine
depths. Subsequent late 20* Century submersibles enabled observation and biological
study of deep-sea animals. Taxonomic comparison of modem and ancient taxa, insights
into their evolution, paleoecology, paleoenvironment, and paleobiogeography then began.

Acknowledgement: All illustrations are from Lyell’s Students Elements of Geology
(1874) with the exception of the woodcut from Conrad Gesner’s “De Rerum Fossilium''
(1565-66); no scales are implied.

25

The Perfect Habitat? Fauna living in empty Bankia australis

tubes

Margaret S. Morley * Bonnie A. Bain ^

1 Auckland War Memorial Museum 2 Southern Utah University

Even very familiar local beaches can sometimes produce a surprise. This was the case
when walking from Bucklands Beach to Musick Point in the Tamaki Estuary, Waitemata
Harbour on 20 June 2005. A large tree trunk had been washed in and was embedded in the
sand at high tide level. I was hoping to find some of the teredo Bankia australis requested by
Zvi Orlin. With a small knife I managed to chip away some of the wood riddled with the
calcareous tubes created by Bankia, but it really required a larger tool to get a decent sample.
In some desperation I took handfuls of the really rotted, squishy pulp on the under surface of
the log. This rather revolting material was all dumped into a bag for later sorting.

Fig. 1. Risellopsis varia turning over, shell width
4 mm.

Later that evening I examined some of the sample under the microscope. The damp
tubes were perfect dark apartments for an amazing variety of organisms including the small
littorinid snail Risellopsis varia (Fig.l). The body and proboscis were semi-transparent
grading to cream and then chocolate brown on the dorsum of the head. The two long, finely
tapered tentacles were delicately striped with zebra black and cream. Also present were the
small curved tubes of Caecum digitulum. Both these species feed on filmy organic deposits
(Morton & Miller p. 238) and more usually live in crevices. Another common inhabitant was
the leathery slug Onchidella nigricans.

I had never seen so many of the small white gastropod Leuconopsis obsoleta -each
family of up to ten specimens huddled together within an empty Bankia australis tube. When
covered with sea water the animal crawled strongly away from light (Fig. 2), when moving in
air the mantle was retracted and the tentacles constricted to narrow tubes. The off white,
translucent body has a phosphorescent margin while a dark patch (of intestine?) can be seen
through the body whorl of shell. When disturbed the aperture is sealed off by the foot as there
is no operculum.

26

Fig. 2. Leuconopsis obsoleta crawling in sea
water, shell height 2 nun.

Then suddenly I was watching four amazing creatures about
7 mm long moving like slow-motion stilt walkers on eight
incredibly long legs attached to a segmented rod for a body.

They were identified by Bruce Hayward as pycnogonids (Fig.

3). These ancient Arthropods in the Class Pycnogonida are
mostly bottom dwellers, although some, such as the black
and white Stylopallene longicauda from Western Bay, Vic,

Australia are able to swim. Nearly all pycnogonids have four
pairs of walking legs, but a few genera have either five
(Decolopoda, Pentacolossendeis, Pentanymphon,

Pentapycnon) or six (Dodecolopoda, Sexanymphon) pairs.

Although called “sea spiders” their relationship to other
groups is not well understood. Different species of
pycnogonids have been observed feeding on a variety of
marine invertebrate prey (Bain 1991) including cnidarians
(e.g. anemones, medusae) molluscs (nudibranchs, mussels,
lamellarians) and other soft bodied invertebrates as well as
bryozoans, polychaetes, brine shrimp, and copepods. Juices of the host are sucked up with the
proboscis on the head of the pycnogonid. These Musick Point specimens were well catered for
by the presence of the green anemone Isactinia olivacea, the mud flat anemone Anthopleura
aureomarginata and golf ball sponges Tethya aurantium. However Ruppert and Barnes (1993,
p. 671) say that some pycnogonids feed on algae, microorganisms growing on hydroids or
bryozoans, or even detritus.

Males (and most females) of nearly all pycnogonid species (except some species of
Pycnogonum) have an additional pair of modified legs known as ovigerous legs which are
used by the male to carry the eggs. Because the narrow pycnogonid body cannot hold all the
internal organs, parts of the long intestine and gonads are situated inside the legs. Small pores
over the entire body surface allow gas exchange (Davenport et al. 1987). Blood is pumped by
the heart in blood vessels along the back and legs and blood also circulates freely within the
body cavity (Smith & Carlton 1975, p. 721, 413-424). These vessels were visible in the living
Musick Point specimens looking like the bones of a skeleton.

There are over 1400 species of pycnogonids living world wide from the polar regions
to the tropics, exclusively in marine habitats. Over ninety species have been described from
New Zealand. Some species live in depths of 7000 m, are huge, up to 70 cm in size and
display gaudy colours (Fossa & Wilsen 2000, p. 189-193). The pycnogonid Stylopallene
longicauda is poisonous to its predators (Sherwood et al. 1998). Many other species rely on
their cryptic colouring to avoid predators. They have two pairs of eyes mounted on a tubercle,
one pair looks forward and one pair backwards, both pairs of the Musick Point specimens
gleamed with phosphorescence (pers. obs.). Each of the 8-segmented walking legs terminates
in a propodus (foot) with a terminal main claw and many species also have a pair of auxiliary

Fig. 3. Musick Point pycnogonid
Anoplodactylus sp., 7 mm
measured between leg tips.

27

claws at the base of the main claw which are most efficient at securing the animal to the
substrate. When hurrying (at a snail’s pace!) away from light they showed their ability to
walk upside down.

Pycnogonids have separate sexes, mating occurs with the male upside down either
under or on top of the female, resulting in a great tangle of legs! As soon as the eggs are laid,
the male gathers them up, secreting a substance from a cement gland on his femur (1st long
leg segment) to hold them in place on the underside of his ovigerous legs (Fig. 4). There can
up to 1000 eggs in each cluster. Three of the Musick Point specimens were males and one a
female. Two of the males carried up to six clusters of white eggs indicating that they had
fertilized the eggs of several different females until the clusters extended across all their legs
and abdomen as well. One cluster appeared to have been directly attached onto the surface of
the wood.

Fig. 4. The underside of a male pycnogonid
Anoplodactylus sp. from Musick Point to show the
attached egg clusters.

Many pycnogonid species (e.g. Achelia, Ammothea) have a free-swimming, feeding
larval stage called a Protonymphon larva. Other species such as Anoplodactylus have an
Encysted Larva which forms a cyst within a host organism such as a coral or a hydroid,
undergoes much of its development within the cyst and only breaks free at an advanced stage
of development. Larvae of still other pycnogonid species attach themselves to the male’s
ovigerous legs and undergo most of their development there, only leaving once they become
juveniles. These Attaching Larvae, found only in the families Nymponidae and
Callipallenidae, are filled with yolk and do not feed until they become juveniles and leave the
parent for good. Metamorphosis takes place by a series of moults, adult appendages are added
with each moult (Smith and Carlton, 1975, p.721, 413-424; Bain, 2(X)3a, b).

The pycnogonid specimens remained alive in sea water for nearly two weeks. There
were no changes observed in the eggs. They are now in the marine collections at the Auckland
War Memorial Museum. Co-author Dr Bonnie Bain, a specialist in pycnogonids at Northern
Arizona University, has identified these specimens as Anoplodactylus sp. (AKl 16783) and a
second species as a variant of Achelia dohmi (Thomson, 1884) which were found a few days
later in the same log at Musick Point (AK 116791).

This second species was quite different, much smaller average size (about 4 mm) with
shorter legs, a round body, pedipalps (non-walking legs) and were less active (Fig. 5). The eye
tubercle was smaller and taller. They clung closely to the wood with a flattened posture
making them very hard to spot. They had, at the end of each walking leg, a terminal claw and
a pair of auxiliary claws. The largest specimen, about 6 mm, was carrying egg clusters on his
ovigerous legs. A species of thecate hydroid was common in the wood providing a possible
food source, and the segments of the pycnogonid legs matched the hydroid thus providing
excellent camouflage.

Although over many years, I have examined numerous bags of shell sand, dredged
sediments and material from rock and algal washes, I had never seen pycnogonids before. To

28

my amazement the very next week while looking at algal wash from Cudlip Point, south head
of Mahurangi Harbour, I saw a single 3 mm specimen. It is easy to see how the mottled,
nondescript brown colour and unremarkable shape could be overlooked or mistaken for algae
or detritus. It had only been the movement in sea water that had originally caught my eye.
Probably if the sediments are dried before being examined the animal disintegrates. My
experience of seeing another pycnogonid so soon after the first, illustrates a valuable lesson
that studying the features of any species “gets your eye in” and greatly increases your chances
of future success (Morley, 1981). Since then I have found living pycnogonids less than 2 mm
in most samples of alga and rock washes taken from beaches in the Auckland area.

Pycnogonids are living in Fiordland under Ecklonia kelp with an average size of 60
mm, they are usually bright yellow (Tony and Jenny Enderby pers. comm.).

In the second sample of wood taken, after much sorting, I finally found the teredo,
Bankia australis valves and pallets which had started the discoveries of the fauna in wood.

Fig. 5. Pycnogonid, Achelia dohrni Thomson
(1884), 4 nun between leg tips. Note pedipalps.

List of organisms found in the tubes in wood (Fig. 6)
Chitons

Acanthochitona zelandica

Sypharochiton pelliserpentis

Bivalves

Bankia australis

Lasaea hinemoa

Ruditapes largillierti juvenile

Limnopema pulex previously Xenostrobus pulex

Gastropods

Eatonina atomaria

Haustrum scobina- previously Lepsiella scobina

Leuconopsis obsoleta

Risellopsis varia

Pycnogonida, sea spiders

Anoplodactylus sp.

Achelia dohmi Thomson (1884)

Crustacea

barnacle Austrominius modestus
larvae of arthropod
Isopoda Isocladus armatus

29

Polydora polybranchia

Hydroid

Leuconopsis
obsoleta

Tethya aurantium

Halicarid mite

Urn nope rna
pulex

Onchidella

nigricans

Haustrum

scobina

Lasaea hinemoa

Isocladus

armatus

Risellopsis
varia

Dendrostomum

aeneum

Eaton ina
atomaria

Fig. 6. Species living in empty Bankia australis tubes. Drawings by Powell (1979), Morton & Miller (1968)
and Margaret Morley.

30

Porifera

golf ball sponge Tethya aurantium

Bryozoa

Foraminifera

Rosalina bradyi

halicarid mite

marine worms e.g. spionid worm Polydora polybranchia.

Sipunculida peanut worm Dendrostomum aeneum
Algae

Boodlea mutabile
Chaetomorpha sp.

Gigartina chapmanii

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Bruce Hayward (Geomarine Research) for identifying the foraminifera and
formatting the article, Ashwaq Sabaa (Geomarine Research) for scanning the figures, Tony
and Jenny Enderby for data on pycnogonids in Fiordland and Todd Landers (Auckland War
Memorial Museum) for mailing specimens to the States.

References

Bain, B.A. 1991. Some observations on biology and feeding behavior in two southern
California pycnogonids. Bijdragen tot de Dierkunke 61(1): 63-64.

Bain, B.A. 2003a. Larval types and a summary of postembryonic development within the
pycnogonids. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development, 43(3): 193-222.

Bain, B.A. 2003b. Postembryonic Development in the pycnogomd Austropallene comigera,
(Family Callipallenidae). Invertebrate Reproduction and Development, 43(3): 181-192.
Bain, B.A. and Govedich, F.R. 2004. Courtship and Mating Behavior in the Pycnogonida
(Chelicerata: Class Pycnogonida): a Summary. Invertebrate Reproduction and
Development 46{l): 63-79.

Davenport, J.N. Blackstock, D.A. Davies and M. Yarrington, 1987. Observations on the
physiology and integumentary structure of the Antarctic pycnogonid Decolpoda
australis. J. Zool. London, 211: 451-465.

Fossa, S.A. and Wilsen, A.J. 2000. The Modem Coral Reef Aquarium: 3 Birgit Schmett Kamp
Verlag Bomheim, Germany, 448 p.

Hall, H.M.,1912. Studies on Pycnogonida. Annual Report of the Laguna Marine Laboratory,
1:91-99.

Morley, M.S. 1981. What’s in a visuophysic area? Poirieria 11(1): 21-22.

Morton, J.E. and Miller, M.C. 1968. The New Zealand Sea Shore. Collins, 653 p.

Powell, A.W.B. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, 5(X) p.

Ruppert, E.E.and Barnes, R.D. 1993. Invertebrate Zoology 6th edition. Saunders College
Publishing New York, London, Tokyo, 1056 p.

Sherwood, J., Walls, J.T. and Ritz, D.A. 1998. Amathamide alkaloids in the pycnogonid,
Stylopallene longicauda, epizoic on the chemically defended bryozoan, Amathia
wilsoni. Pap. and Proc. R. Soc. Tasmania 132: 65-70.

Smith, R.I. and Carlton, J.T. 1975. Lights Manual Intertidal Invertebrates of the Californian
Coast. University of California Press, Los Angeles, 721 p.

Thomson, G.M. 1884. On the New Zealand Pycnogonida, with descriptions of new species. Trans.
Proc. N.Z. Inst. 16: 242-248.

31

“The Beautiful Shells Of New Zealand” by E.G.B. Moss
A book review by Ian Scott

Recently while looking through the wares of a secondhand book store 1 came across the
above book which 1 had never seen before. It was published in 1908 making it almost a
hundred years old! It includes ten black and white photographic plates illustrating the
shells. Mr Moss was an Auckland barrister who did his collecting in the Tauranga area
over a period of twenty years. This book was the first attempt to publish a popular book
on New Zealand shells written by an amateur for amateurs.

On reading it 1 find that many things have not changed! He writes: “For some inscrutable
reason, however, the New Zealand authorities are continually changing the classical

names of our shells It is really time some attempt was made to stop this foolish

proceeding. Most of the shells, since I began collecting 20 odd years ago, have had their
names changed once, many of them twice, and some even three times.” If he could see
the present names he would see that this has continued after his publication! See which of
the following names from his book that you can identify:

Purpitra siwcincta
Scaphella pacifica
Dolium variegatum
Euthria line at a
Cominella testudinea
Lotorium cornutum
Ethalia zelandica
Astra Hum sulcatum
Surcula novae-zelandiae
Haliotis rugoso-plicata
Chione crassa
Volsella australis

The answers: Dicathais orbita, Alcithoe fusus, Tonna cerevisina, Buccinulum linea,
Cominella maculosa, Cymatium (Turritriton) exaratum, Zethalia zelandica. Turbo
smaragdus, Phenatoma rosea, Haliotis australis. Tower a spissa, and Modiolus areolatus

And how about this for cleaning shells: “Soak the dead shells in hot water for a few hours
to get rid of the salt, and then scrub with a hard brush, or, if encrusted or very dirty, rub
with sand using a brush or cloth. No need to fear hurting them, unless very fragile, in

which case the best thing is a soft toothbrush with fine sand then rub the shell with a

mixture of sewing machine oil and chloroform in equal parts. The machine oil, being
fish oil, will replace the oil the shell has lost, and chloroform is the best restorer of colour
we have.”

There are many other fascinating bits of information in this book and it really is a
window into shell collecting a hundred years ago. Look out for it when visiting second
hand book shops.

32

LAST FOUNDATION MEMBER OF CONCHOLOGY SECTION DIES
David H. Baker 26 November 1916 — 3 September 2005

David was a foundation pupil at Kohimarama School, then attended
Auckland Boys Grammar. At the age of 14 he became a foundation
member of the Conchology Section at the Auckland War Memorial
Museum. He maintained this association with the museum throughout his
life and built up an impressive shell collection. For many years he was a
volunteer guide at the museum.

After leaving school he worked in the father’s joinery business. He then
went to the Solomon Islands and New Hebrides (Vanuatu) with the
Melanesian Mission, returning to Auckland to join the army in 1940. He
rose to the rank of Lieutenant at Army Headquarters.

David joined the New Zealand Valuation Department in 1948, becoming
District Valuer for South Auckland in 1952, a position he retained until his
first retirement in 1977. He then worked as a consultant for a further 12
years for two of his younger colleagues from the department.

He married Sylvia in 1941 and they had five children. Sylvia died in 1965.
In 1966 he married Margaret and they had two children.

^ David had a close association with the Parish of Kohimarama throughout his life and especially with
' the construction of the two new churches St Andrews and St James in the 1 950s.

He loved the outdoors and travel, and in the summer would often swim the length of Mission Bay and
back again. He also enjoyed cycling, walking and reading and had a long association with the Anglican
Trust for women and children, the Melanesian Trust Board and Probus. His love of nature led to him
being made honorary ranger for the Orakei Bush Reserve. His travels took him to a number of
interesting places. A cruise included L.A., Chile, Falkland Islands, Argentina, Brazil and six of the
Caribbean Islands. Other places visited included Australia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Tonga,
Philippines, Greek Islands and New Caledonia.

Heather Smith and Doug Snook jointly purchased his collection. The proceeds were evenly distributed
to the Anglican Church, the Anglican City Mission, Save the Children Fund and the Anglican Trust for

Women and Children.

i

Bruce Hazelwood 5 January 1949 - 31 December 2005

Bruce was a member of the Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum Institute for over thirty
years. He first joined when he was living in Otaki, Wellington and later shifted to Hamilton. In 1 987 he
shifted to Ellerslie and began attending our meetings regularly.

I Bruce had a keen interest in his shell hobby. His major family of interest was worldwide volutes. Other
! families he focused on were Nassarius, Miters and Turrids. He also enjoyed collecting landsnails from
1 almost any bush reserve. Jim Goulstone shared his knowledge and often collected with Bruce, who
I gained considerable knowledge of species from Jim. He knew a lot about chitons which he collected

I from far and near and was keen to bid at auctions for any that may be offered, especially from overseas.

^ He was not comfortable leading a meeting, but when encouraged was able to give an excellent lecture
that reflected his interest and knowledge. He served as a Vice President for several years and was
; currently on our committee. He was always willing to help when required at the shell auctions and shell
! shows.

! Bruce had major open heart surgery and two heart valves fitted which slowed slow him down a bit. He
sold his car, but still went on a number of field trips. Bruce was at a family get together in Tauranga
when he died suddenly on New Years Eve. His funeral took place on his 57^*^ birthday 5^^ January 2006.

33

Poirieria.
American Muse
History
Received on:

POIRIERIA

Volume 34, September 2009
ISSN 0032-2377

Conchology Section Auckland Museum Institute
Incorporating Auckland Shell Club

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Patricia Langford

Obituary — ^Norman W Gardner

Margaret S Morley, Noel Gardner, Bruce Hayward

Name changes for some common intertidal snails
Ham is h G Spencer

Motutara: The Wild West Coast
Michael K Eagle

Evalea sabulosa (Suter, 1908) {Gastropoda; Pyramidellidae)
Margaret S Morley

Geoduck riddle at Ohope

Bruce W Hayward, Glenys C Hayward, Margaret S Morley

Mass mating of the mud snail, Amphibola crenata
Bruce W Hayward

Carl Linnaeus — Swedish Naturalist (1707 — 1778)

Patricia Langford

A story worth telling . . . again and again
Neville Coleman

Cleaning and restoring shells
Margaret Morley

What to do with your collection
Peter Poortman

The sad demise of a great collection
Peter Poortman

Mason Bay, Stewart Island
Bev Elliott

Shell Show, 2009

Peter Poortman, Doug Snook, Jan Munroe

The Spring Shell Show, September 1982
Patricia Langford

1

2

5

10

13

16

23

24

27

31

37

39

41

43

46

EDITORIAL

Welcome to our Spring 2009 issue, containing inspiring, informative articles from
a wide cross-section of our members, dedicated scientists to amateur enthusiasts.
Regretfully, this issue is long overdue because of lack of articles, until recently.
This is the first compilation of a new team of volunteers, Jan Munroe and myself
We are gratified by the response to our request for articles, all contributions are
appreciated and of interest, rest assured.

The profound mysteries of nature are demonstrated in a deeply moving account of
personal observation, in the thought provoking Cassis cornuta story. Who could
not feel unease about taking the life of a living mollusc, in future?

Recently, 1 attended a lecture on the development of underwater sonic recordings, through the war years
with all their waterborne threats, to the songs of whales and dolphin speech, detection of underwater
volcanoes and general shipping. A puzzling mystery was a significant dawn chorus, which was eventually
revealed to be the early daylight browsing of abundant Evechinus chloroticus, with their busy mouthparts
grazing algae on oceanic meadows.

This issue features a comprehensive obituary, which is a fitting tribute to the life work of Norman
Gardner — a modest man with mammoth achievements and to whom I wish to dedicate this issue of
“Poirieria”. It is never too late to share tributes of this nature.

Let us have some “Letters to the Editor” pages — send in your comments, photographs, observations,
memories of past events and people, and replies to questions posed in scientific articles.

Enjoy your magazine.

Patricia Langford

“Poirieria” is the journal of the Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum Institute (CSAMl),
incorporating Auckland Shell Club.

Subscription to “Poirieria” is by membership of the CSAMl. All correspondence regarding membership,
change of address, distribution queries, back issues, etc should be addressed to : The Secretary, 42 Black
Teal Close, Albany, North Shore City, Auckland, New Zealand.

We welcome contributions on suitable topics forwarded to the above addi'ess or to : The Editor, 1 Celina
Place, Browns Bay, North Shore City 0630, Auckland, New Zealand.

Piews expressed in the “Poirieria ” are those of contributors and may not necessarily reflect the opinion of
the CSA MI.

OBITUARY— NORMAN W GARDNER

f

Margaret S Morley, Noel Gardner and Bruce W Hayward

Norm Gardner : 16 September 1920 — 31 July 2006

Norm Gardner joined the Conchology Section in 1947 and was a stalwart member until a few years of ill-
heath just before his death in 2006. Both Norm and his wife, Noel, were made Life Members in the late
1950’s.

Norm and Noel shared a common interest in shells. She had joined the Section when 12 years old in 1933.
They met at the club and two years after Norm became a member they were married in 1949. From then
on most of their spare time was devoted to shells, the Conchology Section and to helping Baden Powell at
the Auckland Museum.

It is hard to believe today, but Baden didn’t drive, so Norm used to act as his chauffeur. Norm and Noel
became volunteers at the Auckland Museum, outstaying several curators, and between them they clocked
up a mind-boggling 100 years of service. In 2006, their contribution was recognized when they were made
Honorary Life Members of the Auckland Museum Institute. Shortly before Nonn died the Marine
Department of the Auckland Museum held a morning tea in their honour.

2

Their shell collection was gradually built up over many years. They travelled all over New Zealand on
camping trips spending many happy hours looking for shells both on the beach and in the bush. Norm’s
interest included microscopic marine shells. Members were made welcome in his basement study at their
Birkenhead house where he was always willing to identify specimens or explain the intricacies of
taxonomy. Noel says, “I wouldn’t dare dust in there!” Norm’s identifications had not only the scientific
name, but the family and authority which were helpful in learning. This was before Baden Powell’s classic
book published in 1979, when the main text book was Suter’s Manual and Plates. Norm was popular at the
end of conchology meetings when help was needed with identifications, having been brought up on Suter
he could readily track synonymies.

From 1952 to 1981 Nonn and Noel were Conchology Section Co-Editors, initially of the two series of
Bulletins, and Subsequently of Poirieria which was established in 1962. In nearly all Poirieria journals
there were articles by Norm describing various families, documenting observations, including drawings,
and bringing us up to date with names. Norm’s articles were valuable in bridging the gap between Suter
and later scientific papers.

Norman was continuously on the committee for many years and appointed President from 1954 to 1956
and again in 1977, however he was not happy in the limelight, much preferring to be active behind the
scenes. In the Bulletins it is recorded that he held the post of Librarian for some years. He had a dry sense
of humour and his delightful soft chuckle was frequently heard. More recently he was elected Vice Patron.

Nonn was a cabinet maker and used this skill in 1972 to make a large wooden trophy of a volute awarded
to writers of the best article in Poirieria. Many hours were also spent making smaller versions for winners
to keep. His wide knowledge of molluscs made him a competent judge, both for this award and for Shell
Shows. Norm played a major role in organizing the 1978 Shell Show.

In their own right the Gardners became skilled malacologists and undertook research particularly on land
snails, initially in New Zealand, but later in the Pacific Islands (especially in the Solomon’s where Norm
collected large land snails during visits over several years). This knowledge was used to identify and
catalogue land snails in the Auckland Museum Collections.

Nonn and Noel organized numerous field trips for the Conchology Section. On one land snail trip to
Waipoua in 1980, we were driving in convoy when Nonn stopped at Helensville to take a break. He
immediately set off to access the tidal estuary via a decrepit landing platform. As a new chum (MM) this
didn’t seem a likely collecting place. However we were soon getting up to our knees in soft mud and
inspired by Nonn’s lecture on thousands of Potamopyrgus estuarinus\ The car owners however were not
so pleased! During a land snail visit to Fiordland with Jim Goulstone they were so badly attacked by sand
flies that they wore plastic bags over their hands!

Shells have been named in his honour. Potamopyrgus gardneri was discovered by Norm and Noel in a
swampy stream in Northland, the name now lost under synonymy with P. creswelli. Placostylus
ambagiosus gardneri is a subfossil found in consolidated dunes behind Tom Bowling Bay. A third name
may eventuate as a result of Nonn’s work on the Solomon Islands land snails with Belgium Scientist,
Andre Delsaerdt. Norm also described and named some species (Gardner 1977a).

Nonn’s contributions to both the Conchology Section and Auckland War Memorial Museum have been
immense. His quiet, supportive presence and expertise are sadly missed.

Selected Publications

(Many short articles in Poirieria and Papustyla unlisted)

Gardner, NW and Gardner, EN 1949 The native land snails of Rangitoto Island. Auckland Museum
Conchology Club Bullet 5:7-13

Gardner, NW and Gardner, EN 1951 Some observations on the Fijian snail Placostylus (Callintocharis)
gracile (Brod). Auckland Museum Conchology Club Bulletin 9:9-1 1

Gardner, NW 1966 Iredalina, our golden volute. Poirieria 3(2):22-23

Gardner, NW 1966 High tidal molluscs of Rangitoto Island. Poirieria 3(4/5):59-60

* Gardner, NW 1970 A new genus and species of freshwater snail (Hydrobiidae) from northern New
Zealand. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Biological Sciences 1 2: 1 8 1 - 1 84

Gardner, NW 1971 New Zealand recent Fissurellidae. Poirieria 5(6): 107-1 16

Gardner, NW 1973 Mussels — Mytilidae in New Zealand. Poirieria 7(2):33-38

Gardner, NW 1975 Our Wentletraps. Poirieria 8(2):26-30

Gardner, NW 1976 Native landsnails of Resolution Island, Fiordland. Auckland Museum Conchology
Section Bulletin l(new series):24-27

Gardner, NW 1977a A new Flammulinid land snail from the northern block of Northland (Endodontidae:
Phenacohelicinae). Bulletin 2 (new series):8-10

f

Gardner, NW 1977b Collecting snails in the Lake Hauroko area of southern Fiordland, New Zealand.
Poirieria 9:35-41.

Ramsay, GW, Gardner, NW 1977 Endangered and rare New Zealand invertebrate species. The Weta 1
(l):3-5

Gardner, NW 1978 Molluscs from the channels of Parengarenga. Poirieria 9(4):75-77
Gardner, NW 1978 Lepsiella scobina (Quoy & Gaimard) - our oyster borer. Poirieria 9(5):86-88
Gardner, NW \919 Pseudovermis hancocki ChdWxs. Poirieria 10(4):66

' Gardner, NW 1981 7/7v/ro.s/rcr o/tz«7 (Lamarck) - another new record. Poirieria 10:77
Gardner, NW 1982 Some shells of South Santo — Vanuatu. Poirieria 12(l):7-9
Gardner, NW 1989 Tree snails from New Zealand. Papustyla 1 1 :3
Gardner, NW 1990 Cape Maria landsnails — Northland, New Zealand. Papustyla 3:4-5

NAME CHANGES FOR SOME COMMON INTERTIDAL SNAILS

Hamish G Spencer

Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology & Evolution

Department of Zoology

University of Otago

PO Box 56

Dunedin, 9054

Email: h.spencer@otago.ac.nz

Genetic work on the evolutionary relationships of many animal groups often throws up unexpected results.
Since scientific classification is meant to reflect evolutionary relationships, these results sometimes require
changes in nomenclature. Indeed, as a consequence of work on the Trochidae, Turbinidae, Littorinidae and
Neritidae, the classification and names of several of our better known intertidal gastropods have recently
been changed. In addition, this work has revealed a new species, morphologically very similar to existing
species, but genetically distinct. In this note, I summarize some of these changes, especially as they affect
New Zealand species.

Trochidae

In our intertidal zone, members of the genus Diloma Philippi, 1845 are often ecologically dominant.
Donald et al. (2005) used genetic tools to elucidate the evolutionary tree (or “phylogeny”) of our species
and related taxa from Australia, South Africa, the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Their tree is shown in Figure
1, and shows several distinct clusters of species, which these authors interpreted as genera. Most
importantly for New Zealand conchologists, it is clear that the genus Melagraphia Gray, 1847, which has
long been used for M. aethiops (Gmelin, 1791), is a synonym of Diloma and so what is possibly our best-
known intertidal trochid should be known as Diloma aethiops (Gmelin, 1791).

The southern Australian species, previously all placed in Austrocochlea Fischer, 1885, in fact fall into three
separate genera. Austrocochlea is retained for A. brevis Parsons & Ward, 1994, A constricta (Lamarck,
1822), A duninuta (Hedley, 1912), ^ porcata (A. Adams, 1853), A. rudis (Gray, 1826) and, possibly, A.
zeus Fischer, 1874 (although this species was not analyzed genetically). Chlorodiloma Pilsbry, 1889 is
recommended for C. adelaidae (Philippi, 1849), C. crinita (Philippi, 1849), C. odontis (Wood, 1828) and,
probably, C. millilineata (Bonnet, 1864) (which, again, was not examined). The final temperate species
should be known as Diloma concamerata (Wood, 1828).

The South African species all group together in the genus Oxystele Phlippi, 1847. This group has
sometimes been treated as a subgenus of Diloma but it is worthy of generic rank. Similarly, the European
Osilinus Philippi, 1847 is also a good genus.

Only four of the nine currently recognized species of the tropical genus Monodonta Lamarck, 1 799 were
included in the study. Intriguingly, different populations of what appears, on shell characters, to be M.
lahio (Linne, 1758) are genetically distinct, which suggests that two (or more) species are lurking under
this name.

0.40

1.00

DHoma nigerrima (NZ)

D 'rioma crusoeana
Diloma nigerrima (Chile)

Diloma arida

Diloma coracina

Diloma bicanaliculata

i.ool

Diloma zelandica

Diloma samoaensis
— Diloma radula

C Diloma aethiops
nil,

Diloma subrostrata
Diloma concamerata

Austrocochlea rudis
Austrocochlea constricta
I— Austrocochlea porcata
— Austrocochlea brevis

Austrocochlea diminuta

0.69|

1,00

1.00

Monodonta confusa
Monodonta labio (Japan)
Monodonta perplexa perplexa

Monodonta canalifera

Monodonta labio (Australia)

Chlorodiloma odontis

Chlorodiloma crinita
Chlorodiloma adelaidae

1.00 (_

Oxystele impervia

Oxystele variegata
Oxystele tabularis

— Oxystele tigrina
Oxystele sinensis

1 oo[

Osilinus lineatus

Micretenchus huttonii
Cantharidella tesselata

III

II

m

0.1

Figure 1 .

Evolutionary tree of
the Monodontinae,
from Donald et al.
(2005), with
permission of Elsevier
Inc. Numbers on the
branches are a
measure of support
(“Bayseian posterior
probabilities”):
branches with values
< 0.9 should be

regarded with caution.

The evolutionary tree (or “phylogeny”) of the Trochidae and its relatives is not yet complete. But already it
is clear that the relationships among the different genera are different from that implied by the
morphologically based classification of Hickman & McLean (1990). The work by Williams et al. (2008)
examined the relationships of many genera traditionally ascribed to the Trochidae and Turbinidae, and
resulted in several changes to higher taxonomy. Several groups were raised from subfamilies to the family
level: Angariidae, Calliostomatidae, Chilodontidae (= Eucyclinae), Colloniidae, Liotiidae and Solariellidae.
The Margaritinae was transferred from the Trochidae to the Turbinidae. Within the Trochidae, Williams et
al. (2008) resurrected the Cantharidinae, with New Zealand representatives Cantharidella Pilsbry, 1889,
^ Cantharidns Montfort, 1810 and Micrelenchus Finlay, 1926, and the Monodontinae, which contains all the
genera studied by Donald et al. (2005), including Diloma.

Finally, while conducting a study of the biological communities found in the holdfasts of the bull kelp,
Durvillaea, Spencer et al. (2009), discovered a new species of Diloma, the first new species recognized
from New Zealand in more than 150 years. Superficially like D. arida (Finlay, 1926), the new species, D.
durvillaea Spencer, Marshall & Waters, 2009, differs in having stronger spiral ribs on the body whorl and
an almost complete absence of the sparse pale yellow spotting, which is characteristic of many D. arida
individuals (see Figure 2). D. durvillaea occurs from Banks Peninsula south to Otago and the Auckland
Islands, but, strangely, is yet to be recorded from Stewart Island. It is found only on exposed shores at the
low-tide level, always on bull kelp, in its holdfasts and on thongs and blades. D. arida occurs on and under
rocks, from sheltered harbour shores to exposed shores, but at the mid-tide level.

6

I

Figure 2. A, B; Diloma durvillaea Spencer, Marshall & Waters, 2009; C, D: D. arida (Finlay, 1926).
Reproduced from Spencer et al. (2009) with permission of CSIRO Publishing.

Turbinidae

Perhaps the greatest surprise in the paper by Williams et al. (2008) was the finding that the tropical genus
Tectiis Montfort, 1810 was not a trochid, in spite of its close conchological resemblance to Trochus Linne,
1 758, but a turbinid. The most important change for New Zealand workers was the return of our Cat’s Eye
Turban to the genus Limella Roding, 1798, as L. smaragdus (Gmelin, 1791).

Neritidae

The Australian and New Zealand populations of the common intertidal black nerite have long been
considered to consist of a single species, most recently under the name Nerita atramentosa Reeve, 1855.
When revising his New Zealand checklist, however, Powell (1977) continued to use the name N.
me/anotragus E.A. Smith, 1 884, but in a rare change, reduced the distinction to the level of a subspecies,
Nerita atramentosa melanotragus, in his monograph of the New Zealand fauna (Powell, 1979).

7

In their study of Australasian populations, Waters et al. (2005) unexpectedly found two genetically distinct
species subsumed under what had previously been considered to be just N. atramentosa. One species,
primarily western, occurred from Western Australia, eastward across the Great Australian Bight, to New
South Wales, including Tasmania; the other, eastern, species ranged from South Australia, Victoria and
Tasmania, northward to Queensland, as well as New Zealand, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island and
the Kermadec Islands. Subsequent morphological inspection found that these two species can be easily
separated, provided you looked at the operculum. The western species has a black operculum; the eastern
species has an orange-tan operculum with two arching black stripes.

Figure 3. Shells and opercula of species of Nerita (Lisanerita). A; N. (L.) atramentosa Reeve, 1855; B: N.
(I.) lirellata Rehder, 1980; C: N. (L.) melanotragus E.A. Smith, 1884; D: N. (L.) morio (G.B. Sowerby I,
1833). Photograph courtesy of Tom Eichhorst, reproduced from Spencer et al. (2007), with permission
from CSIRO Publishing.

Spencer et al. (2007) showed that these two species should be known as N. atramentosa and N. melanotra-
gus, respectively. Conchological differences were apparent, as well, with N. atramentosa having much
stronger columellar teeth. But surprisingly, these two species were not even each other’s closest relatives;
N. morio (G.B. Sowerby I) from Easter Island was very closely related to N. melanotragus. Again, it has a
distinct operculum, creamy yellow, with a single arched black stripe. All three species, as well as another
from Easter Island, N. lirellata Rehder, 1980, should be placed in the subgenus Lisanerita Krijnen, 2002.
These four species are illustrated in Figure 3.

Littorinidae

Genetic work on this important worldwide family by Williams et al. (2003) has shown that there is a
remarkable degree of convergence in shell form and colouration, which has significantly misled our
previous classifieations. Reid & Williams (2004) showed that the two common intertidal periwinkle
species endemic to New Zealand should be placed in the genus Austrolittorina Rosewater, 1970. The
genetic results revealed that A. cincta (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833) and A. antipodum (Philippi, 1847) are, in
fact, each other’s closest relatives, in spite of the apparent similarity of the latter species with the Australian
A. unifasciata (Philippi, 1847). Reid (2007) placed two further species found, in New Zealand, only at the
Kermadecs in the subgenus Granulilittorina Habe & Kosuge, 1966 of the genus Echinolittorina Habe,
1956: E. (G.) cinerea (Pease, 1869) and the rarer E. (G.) feejeensis (Reeve, 1855). Confusingly, some
previous workers have used the latter name for the former species.

Literature Cited

Donald, K.M., M. Kennedy and H.G. Spencer. 2005. The phylogeny and taxonomy of austral
monodontine topshells (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trochidae), inferred from DNA sequences.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 37: 474-483.

Hickman, C. S., and J.H McLean. 1990. Systematic revision and suprageneric classification of trochacean
gastropods. Science Series, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 35: 1-169.

Powell, A. W.B. 1977. Shells of New Zealand. Whitcoulls Unity Press, Auckland.

Powell, A. W.B. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca: Marine, Land and Freshwater. Collins, Auckland.

Reid, D.G. 2007. The genus Echinolittorina Habe, 1956 (Gastropoda: Littorinidae) in the Indo-West
Pacific Ocean. Zootaxa 1420: 1-161.

Reid, D.G., and S.T. Williams. 2004. The subfamily Littorininae (Gastropoda: Littorinidae) in the
temperate Southern Hemisphere: the genera Nodilittorina, Austrolittorina and Afrolittorina. Records
of the Australian Museum 56: 75-122.

Spencer, H.G., J.M. Waters and T.E. Eichhorst. 2007. Taxonomy and nomenclature of black nerites
(Gastropoda: Neritomorpha: Nerita) from the South Pacific. Invertebrate Systematics 21: 229-237.

Spencer, H.G., B.A. Marshall and J.M. Waters. 2009. A new cryptic species of Dilorna Philippi
(Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trochidae) from a novel habitat, the bull-kelp holdfast communities of
southern New Zealand. Invertebrate Systematics Zi: 19-25.

Waters, J.M., T.M. King, P.M. O’Loughlin and H.G. Spencer. 2005. Phylogeographic disjunction in an
abundant high-dispersal littoral gastropod. Molecular Ecology 14: 2789-2802.

Williams, S.T., D.G. Reid and D.T.J. Littlewood. 2003. A molecular phylogeny of the Littorininae
(Gastropoda: Littorinidae): unequal evolutionary rates, morphological parallelism and biogeography
of the Southern Ocean. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 28: 60-86.

Williams, S.T., S. Karube and T. Ozawa. 2008. Molecular systematics of Vetigastropoda: Trochidae,
Turbinidae and Trochoidea redefined. Zoologica Scripta 37: 483-506.

9

MOTUTARA: THE WILD WEST COAST

Michael K Eagle

Early morning sun begins to warm the volcaniclastic rock above and below the old Maukatia (Maori Bay)
andesite aggregate quarry, now part of an Auckland Regional Park. Soft light strikes the grainy texture in a
display of sparkling crystals, high-lighting variations of grey and charcoal black that, like the fossils
embedded in the stone, come from a seascape formed about 17.4 million years ago in a subtropical ocean.
Shallow water molluscs moved down slope by gravity flow lahars into a prehistoric deep water, submarine,
benthic biotope are remnants of coral boulder banks and rocky substrates on the flanks of partially
submerged volcanoes, then existing to the west and north. Shark teeth and a rare cavoliniid also indicate a

nektic biodiversity of a bygone time. Although we acknowledge these fossils as marine fauna similar to
those in today’s oceans, their presence in the cliff face feels as distant as an ancient language. What seems
even more unusual is the manner in which they have been preserved with the almost homogenous beds of
the various fonuations. Locked in darkness for millennia, now exhumed and exposed by abrasive erosion,
their steinkems (or internal casts), re-crystallised shells, and specimens with only a few weathered, weakly
calcium carbonate tests left, can be elusive to the eye. There are few places in the world where fossils of
any description are remaindered in a volcanic deposition as they are here. It is a unique place, a past seabed
merging with another, bounded above by submarine volcanic intrusions in the fonu of tall pillow-lavas and
large, wildly radiating andesite dykes. Given prehistoric turbulence, both in volcanism and water column
turbidity currents, it is all the more surprising delicate gastropods and thin-shelled bivalves survive, some
intact (bivalves sometimes conjoined).

10

University of Auckland geology Professor Jack Bartrum and Auckland War Museum conchologist A.W.B.
Powell collected recent molluscs and fossils from Motutara and recorded faunal lists (e.g. Powell 1935).
However, it was left to geologist and marine biologist B.W. Hayward to later map parts of the coastline and
describe new fossil molluscan species as part of a PhD, later for the production of a Geological Society
booklet (Hayward 1980) and New Zealand Geological Survey map still used today (Hayward 1983).

Bartrum and Powell Bays were named for Jack Bartrum and Baden Powell by
Bruce Hayward in honour of their pioneering malacological and paleontological
achievements. The small but highly distinctive Early Miocene (Altonian)
bathyal molluscan faunaule recorded from Motutara includes bivalves: Saccella
motutaraensis, Tucetona aucklandica, Propeamussium zitteli, Lucinoma taylori,
Anodontia waharoaensis, Euciroa maoriana; Thyasira bartrumi, Elliptotellina
protensa, Crenostrea gittosina; gastropods: Clifdenia turneri injlata,

Calliotropis motutaraensis, Cirsochilus prisons, Nippon ix centrifugalis, Taniella
motutaraensis, Echinophoria toreuma, Ealsicolus gemmatus, Bathytoma
mitchesoni, ^‘‘Lornia^’’ mai'wicki, ‘"‘'Conus'’'' amoricus', the thecosomatid Vaginella
depressa; the scaphopod ‘‘Dentallium'’ nanum, and Ranellidae gen. & sp. indet.
(see: Beu & Maxwell 1990). In addition to the many molluscs recorded from Motutara are fossil: annelid
tubes, solitary and colonial corals, teleost and chondricthyan elements, carbonaceous or siliceous wood,
leaf impressions, echinoids, sea-stars, and many types of ichnofossils (see: Eagle 1993, 1999).

Exposed at opportune places along the Motutara coast are extensive Maori Middens containing mussel
{Perna canaliculus), toheroa {Paphies ventricosa), and various gastropods including Dicathais orbita.
Middens are usually marked by slope collapse or storm incursion cut into the land. These piles of molluscs
attest to past marine productivity of the area and a valuable food resource available to the population at one
time or another by the extensive settlement of Maori Tangata Whenua groups such as Te Kawerau a Maki
and Ngati Te Kahupara. Hard- won marine mollusc shells litter surrounding hinterland of the Pa sites of
Tirokahua Point, Otakimiro Point, and Oneonenui a Kainga (near Okiritoto Falls), all established up-hill
from the shore for security and fertile gardening on prominent headlands adjacent to off-shore reefs and the
Tasman Sea. Various mollusca live attached to rock on boulder beaches, wave-cut sandstone platforms,
adjacent cliffs, and caves at Motutara. Common intertidal fauna include the chitons: Eudoxochiton nobilis,
Plaxiphora caelata, Plaxiphora obtecta', limpets: Tetraclitella depressa, Gardinia conica, Notoacmea
parviconoidea form nigrostella, Notoacmea pileopsis, Siphonaria australis', bivalves: Xenostrobus pulex,
Perna canaliculus, Haliotis iris; gastropods: Marinula fdholi, Austrolittorina antipoda, A. cincta,
Paratrophon cheesemani, Lepsiella scobina, and Dicathais orbita (see: Powell 1979; Morton 2004).

In the here and now of a
wonderful, clear, south-
westerly aired morning, the
drab greyness of the
substrate that the undersea,
under-lava sands and ash
became still has life in it.

Scoracious brown and
black inclusions in the rock
absorb the heat, drying out
the surface salt from spray
and spume mists coating
them, slowly but surely
frittering the hinterland
f rock. Little Blue Penguin
burrows and White Fronted
Terns nest beneath
Otakimiro Point, adjacent
to the several sea-caves and
a fisherman’s platform.

This is not simply a visual

environment; it is the natural basis for the ecology of the place, and the stone (lava, ash, and sands)
provides the rugged spine of the coastal landscape. This is seen from above by a few young, gliding,
Australasian gannets that did not migrate, the occasional late red flower of a creeping succulent, new
shoots hardening on Pohutakawas to brave the tumultuous seasons, cries of Black-backed gulls, and always
the wavering flax. A voluntary moratorium on taking has allowed mussels, kina, and blackfoot paua to
return, much to the delight of the predatory orange and red Stichaster australis sea-stars. Linked together,
all these things (and many more) make ecological sense, but there is something else in the play of light on
^ the stone: it is surely the stage where dramas of life pass, past and present, but the whole is so ephemeral
that it escapes every attempt to describe it adequately in words or images. The relentless crashing of surf
upon sand and boulder beaches, wave-cut platforms to collect or fish from, and the ragged, rising cliffs of
volcaniclastic rock and lava that is Motutara belongs to a geological time forever beyond our experience.

References

Beu, A. G. and Maxwell, P. A.

1990. Cenozoic Mollusca of New Zealand. New Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin 58.

518p.

Eagle, M. K.

1993. A new Lower Miocene species of Anodontia (Mollusca: Bivalvia). Records of the Auckland Institute
** and Museum 29: 1 03- 111.

1999. Six new fossil bivalves from the Early Miocene of Auckland and Northland. Records of the
A uckland Institute and Museum 36: 141-168.

Hayward, B. W.

1980. Ancient Undersea Volcanoes - a guide to the geological formations at Muriwai, west Auckland.

Geological Society Publications Guidebook 4: 32p.

1983. Waitakere. NZMS: 1:50 000 Sheet QJ 1 Geological Map. New Zealand Geological Survey.

Morton, J.

2004. Seashore ecology of New Zealand and the Pacific. Bateman, Auckland. 504p.

Powell, A. W. B.

1935. Tertiary Mollusca from Motutara, west coast, Auckland. Records of the Auckland Institute and
Museum P. 327-340.

I 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. CoWms, NvicVAM\di. 500p.

12

EVALEA SABULOSA (SUTER,1908)
{GASTROPODA; PYRAMIDELLIDAE)

Margaret S Morley

These notes on the micromollusc Evalea sabulosa record an extension of range from Fosterian (F) and
Antipodean (An) provinces to Aupourian (A), Cookian (C), Forsterian (F) and Moriorian (M) and identify
one likely host, the oyster species, Ostrea stentina

E. sabulosa is in the parasitic family Pyramidellidae. It has a maximum height of 4 mm (Powell 1979). ;
Distinctive features of this species are a sinistral protoconch, a plait set well within the aperture, spiral
grooves and dense axial threads (Fig.l).

The prefix AK indicates registered numbers in the Marine collections of the Auckland War Memorial
Museum.

Previous recorded range

E. sabulosa is already recorded from Eastern Otago to the
Snares, Auckland and Campbell Islands (Powell 1979).
The type was dredged off the Bounty Islands in 90 m
(Powell 1979, Spencer et al. 2002). It is also recorded
from a depth of 310 m off the Bounty Islands
(AKl 18814). This range within F and An provinces is
supported by lots in the Auckland Museum marine
collections from Dunedin (AKl 18810); off Otago Heads
(AKl 18816); Dusky Sound, Fiordland (AKl 18807);
Snares Islands (AKl 18815); Camley Harbour, Auckland
Island, depth 10 m (AKl 30702) and Campbell Island
(AKl 18812).

Figure 1. Evalea sabulosa. Height 3 mm; Location
Bucklands Beach, Tamaki Estuary, in dead oyster
Ostrea stentina.

Extension of Range

Specimens of E. sabulosa in the author’s collection are from off Oamaru, depth 102 m; Waipapa,
Southland; intertidal at Jackson Bay, west coast South Island; Princes Bay, Wellington; Tolaga Bay, East
Cape, North Island; Bucklands Beach, Tamaki Estuary; and in shell sand, Tryphena, Great Barrier Island
Several specimens found in shell sand from Mahia Peninsula, east coast of the North Island (AKl 18808),
and one alive at Kennedy Point, Waiheke Island, also extend the range.

Two specimens found in shell sand at Waitangi, Chatham Islands are in the M province (AKl 18809).

13

Figure 2. Map of revised range of Evalea sabulosa.

^ These Chatham Island and North Island specimens now extend the recorded range from F and An
! provinces to the whole of New Zealand, except for the Kermadecs (Fig. 2).

] Host species

Pyramidellids do not have a radula but an oral sucker and a buccal stylet that pierces the body of their host
I and a sort of buccal pump extracts the victim’s body juices. There are many world-wide species, most
5 favour a particular organism as host, which may be a polychaete worm, an echinoderm, a coelenterate, or a
I bivalve mollusc (Powell 1979).

I A dead specimen, in good condition, of Evalea sabulosa (author’s collection 7263) was found inside a dead
5 oyster Ostrea stentina on low tide rocks at Bucklands Beach, Tamaki Estuary, on 10 March 2007. At the
1 same locality on July 7 2008, a mooring block dragged ashore from the channel during a storm, from an
j approximate depth of 6 m. Clumps of O. stentina (author’s collection 7401) were growing on the mooring,
and a live E. sabulosa (AKl 1 8820) was sieved from mud around the oysters.

j

i

i

On 29 May 2009 a further clump of Ostrea stentina from low tidal rocks was prised apart, washed and the
sieved residue examined under the microscope. Four more specimens of Evalea sabulosa were found.
None of these were inside live oysters. Other fauna attached to the O. stentina included the round slipper
shell Sigapatella tenuis, a leathery slug Onchidella nigricans, barnacles Balanus trigonus and Austrominius
modestus, crabs Petrolisthes elongatus and Pilumnus sp., ascidian Pyura rugosa, sponge, bryozoa, a scale
worm, marine worms and an anemone.

Thus it appears likely from these records that E. sabulosa is parasitic on O. stentina but only in northern
localities as the range for O. stentina is A and C provinces (Spencer et al. 2002). A different host, possibly I
the southern oyster Ostrea chilensis, would be required for specimens from the Forsterian and Moriorian j
provinces.

On March 12, 2009 a juvenile specimen of E. sabulosa was found alive in sandy gravel under low tidal :
rocks at Kennedy Point, on the south coast of Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, (AKl 18760). Although •
O. stentina was not seen on this trip, this oyster could have been living below low tide level or around the
ferry terminal nearby. It is common on Matiatia wharf piles on the west coast of Waiheke.

Unfortunately, despite searching more Ostrea stentina at other locations, no further E. sabulosa have been
found to date.

Discussion ^

None of the associated species living around or on the clumps of O. stentina at Bucklands Beach were in
high numbers so seem unlikely contenders as host for the Evalea. Some, e.g. Pyura, can be eliminated as i
too difficult for a microscopic species to access.

Sinee no oyster species extend to the Subantarctic, the host for E. sabulosa in this region has yet to be -
detennined. This raises the question whether there are undescribed species in New Zealand as most
parasitic species favour a particular host (Powell 1979). Three species of Evalea are listed in Powell I
(1979), two of these described by Laws in 1941. E. sabulosa is the only Evalea species to have axial i
threads (Powell 1979), however in worn specimens these are sometimes partly eroded and difficult to i
confirm.

When more is known about the living animal and their hosts, a revaluation of Evalea species may be i
necessary. 1

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Bruce Hayward for company during field work, creating the map, formatting the article i
and suggestions for improvements to the text; to Ashwaq Sabaa (Geomarine) for scanning the drawing; and I
to Heather Smith for company on the May 29 field trip.

References

Powell, A.W.B. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins p 500.

Spencer, H.G., R.C. Willan., B.A. Marshall & T.J. Murray. 2009. Checklist of the Recent Mollusca
described from the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone, http://torea.otago.ac.nz/pubs/spencer/
Molluscs/index.html

15

GEODUCK RIDDLE AT OHOPE

Bruce W Hayward, Glenys C Hayward and Margaret S Morley

Margaret, Bruce, Danielle Carter and Hanno Grenfell were on their way back to Auckland after a visit to
Mahia with Auckland Geology Club in 2006 when they stopped for lunch in the middle of Ohope Beach.
As Margaret was there we had the obligatory short walk along the beach at high tide level. Bruce soon
noticed the unusually numerous geoduck shells (Panopea zelandica) that were washed up and collected a
; handful to show Margaret. They all fitted together snugly in his hand and he soon realised they were all left
valves. He thought this to be a little odd and 10 minutes later we had collected 32 shells - 30 left valves
and only 2 right valves. Alas, it was time to drive on. Margaret placed the shells along the side of her
driveway in Pakuranga and every time Bruce visited he was reminded of the riddle of the geoduck from
Ohope. Plans to return to Ohope to conduct more extensive counting to test the validity of the initial
observation were finally realised in April 2009, when Bruce and Glenys Hayward made a special
pilgrimage to count and collect Ohope geoduck shells.

Geoduck

These large shellfish are deep burrowers that live at up to 30 cm deep in finn sand. The natural gape at the
posterior end of the shells allows the large conjoined siphons to extend up the vertical burrow towards the
sea-floor surface. Most geoduck live in water depths of ~5 m or more in normal marine salinity and
► somewhat exposed conditions. This may explain why their shells are not washed up in the large numbers
that surf clams are on our beaches. Surf clams (e.g. Dosinia anus, Paphies subtriangulata, Mactra discors,
Crassula aequilatera) live at shallower depth in the sand at 0-10 m water depth and are commonly washed
out in storms and thrown up on beaches in recently dead pairs. Geoduck pairs are seldom washed up - they
come ashore singly and none were found as a pair during the present Ohope survey. This is because it is
much harder for them to be eroded out by stonn waves and further for them to be transported to shore.
Presumably most of the shells that are washed up were long since dead and eroded out from their
considerable depth of burial over a long period, as major sand movement occurs.

Survey Method

The survey method employed in 2009, was for two people to walk along the beach, one in the dry sand
above the recent monthly spring high tide level and the other in the damp or recently damp sand lower on
the shore. As they walked they examined all exposed shells and collected all Panopea shells that were
intact or, if broken, comprised more than half of the shell. After every approximately 25 shells had been
collected by one person, a count of the left and right valves in this collection was recorded. The distance
travelled along the beach was measured so that the number of shells collected per km of beach could be
calculated. We did not have time to walk the whole beach, so one area at the west end (A), two in the
middle (B, C), and two in the east (D, E) were surveyed (Fig. 1) - a total of 3.5 km (Table 1).

16

Figure 1. Map showing lengths of beach (areas A-E) surveyed and the number of left and right Panopea
zelandica valves per km within each surveyed area in April 2009.

Table 1 . Summary of Ohope Beach Panopea Shell survey data (Figure. 1)

Area

Location

Length

Above High Spring Tide

Below High Spring Tide

Left Valves

Right

Valves

Left Valves

Right

Valves

Area A

West End

500m

30

25

Both tidal levels surveyed together

Area B

Middle

800m

30

29

39

11

Area C

Middle

800m

45

53

60

40

Area D

East End

600m

18 .

10

17

8

Area E

East End

800m

7

9

15

8

17

Figure 2. Beach survey results showing the percentage of left and right valves of Panopea and standard
deviation (based on counts of groups of ~25 shells) in different survey areas (B-E) of beach. Right: In-situ
appearance of geoduck with the two elongate valves on the end of long fleshy siphons. Location of
measurement directions of length, width and inflation is also shown.

Collected shells were brought back to Auckland in bags divided into areas and into those collected from
above spring high tide or lower. Back in the laboratory, only whole shells were measured and weighed. We
measured the length, width, inflation and weight of each shell as well as noting whether it was a left or
right valve.

Observations, April 2009

1. Abundance of Panopea zelandica shells decreases from the middle of the beach (areas B, C; Fig. 1)
towards the east (areas D, E), but not of other surf clam shells.

2. Abundance of rare cockle and pipi increase from the middle of the beach towards the east (D, E),
towards the entrance to Ohiwa Harbour.

3. Double-valved Paphies subtriangulata, Dosinia anus, and Crassula aequilatera were common among
the wash-up. No Panopea was found washed up double, although several close together could have
been a pair.

4. Children decorating sand castles when given a choice of surf clam shells prefer to use Dosinia anus,
followed by Crassula and then Paphies. Panopea was not found being used.

18

5. Some Panopea shells had been badly crushed by vehicles, especially above high spring tide level.
Those with less than half a shell were disregarded.

6. There was no obvious difference in the number of left and right valves above and below high spring
tide level at the west end of Ohope (area A) and they were not counted or measured separately.
Differences between these two tidal levels first became apparent during surveying of Area B and after
that they were counted separately.

Results

Our survey and measurements addressed the following questions:

1. Are Panopea zelandica shells washed-up with uniform distribution along the full 12 km length of
Ohope Beach?

Our beach surveys show that a higher density of Panopea shells is washed up towards the centre of
Ohope Beach (B, C) than at either end (Fig. 1). Numbers fall away particularly sharply moving east
towards the mouth of Ohiwa Harbour, suggesting that perhaps the source of the Panopea is
somewhere offshore of the middle or west end of Ohope Beach.

2. Are there really more left valves than right valves washed up on Ohope Beach, or on parts of Ohope
Beach?

Fifty-eight percent of the total shells collected were left valves and the remaining 42% were right.
Our counting methodology allowed us to show that the difference in numbers of left and right valves
was not significant in all areas surveyed below high water spring level (=intertidal), but was
significantly different in all three areas counted above high spring tidal level (Fig. 2). In the original
2006 observation, left valves comprise 94% of the above high tide beach shells, whereas in area C in ‘
2009 they comprised 60 +/- 6%, in area B 78 +/-3%, and in area D and E 67+/-2%. So yes, there
really were significantly more left valves on the beach above spring high tide, though not as skewed
as it was in 2006.

3. Are there differences in the shapes or sizes of left and right valves that might explain their non-
unifonn distribution?

Plots of our measurements of length versus width, length versus inflation, and length versus weight
show there is no significant difference in the shape or weight of shells between left and right valves i
(Figs. 3-4). This conclusion is most clearly demonstrated by the trend lines for left and right valves
which are almost identical on all three plots. The plot and trend lines of length versus width for shells
collected above and below spring high tide level (Fig. 4) also shows no significant difference in shape j
between these two groups and only slight difference in size, with a few more smaller shells collected '
from higher on the shore than lower.

4. What do our measurements tell us about the way Panopea shells grow?

There is a linear relationship between length and width and length and inflation in all our Panopea '
shells (Fig. 3). Initially shells grow outwards at a set ratio of length versus these other directions,
until apparently reaching their adult length of 90-1 10 mm. Once this adult size has been reached, the
shells continue to deposit shell but do not grow in size. The shells get heavier and thicker through I
time, with the thickest and oldest shells weighing four times (40 g) that of the unthickened shells (10 |

g) of young adults of the same length and width (Fig. 4).

19

shape between left and right valves of Panopea. Linear trend lines are also shown.

20

Figure. 4. Top: Plot of length versus weight to investigate potential differences in shape between left and
right valves of Panopea. Exponential trend lines are also shown. Bottom: Length versus width plot of
Panopea shells to investigate potential differences in shape between shells collected from above spring
high tide level and those from lower on the beach.

21

1

5. Do our measurements allow the matching of potential pairs of specimens that have been washed up
from single individuals?

Comparisons of the four measurements for each shell allowed us to match no more than 10% of the
left and right valves with measurements similar enough to be matching shells from a pair. This is a
significant finding as it implies that 90% of the shells washed up or at least not extensively broken
nor buried on the beach have no matching left or right valve in our collections. This is surprising, as
we would have assumed that both valves would likely have been eroded out at about the same time
from their original substrate, and likely would have been transported shorewards and up onto the
beach in the same storm event.

6. So what has happened to all the other shells? How old are the Panopea shells found high on the
beach? In 2009, did we sample the same cohort of washups as in 2006?

Maybe the results in 5 above that show that 90% of shells collected did not have a matching pair, pro-
vide a hint that the shells on the beach have accumulated over many years. During that time many
have been lost through burial in the beach sand, through collection by people, crushing by vehicles,
washed back out to sea or never washed up on the beach at all.

It is highly likely that the shells collected could have washed up on the beach over a long period of
time - such as several decades and that many of the shells collected were present on the beach in
2006 when the first collection was made. It would be interesting to do more surveys on the beach in
the next few years to see how quickly numbers build up again after our removals of all visible shells.
They could wash in from areas of the beach where shells were not collected or wash out of the sand
where they were buried and hidden during the 2009 collection survey and thus numbers that appear
are not likely to all be from new washups.

7. As there are no apparent differences in the shapes and sizes of left and right valves of Panopea, what
other hypotheses might explain the observed greater abundance of left valves washed up above high

* spring tide level?

Some hypotheses

=> Left and right valves are a mirror pair of each other and maybe this elongation to the right or
left provides sufficient difference for waves, swash or longshore drift to sort shells during
spring tidal storms and preferentially wash left valves up high onto the beach. This seems the
most likely explanation for our observations and that this was particularly true during a large
storm sometime before 2006.

=> Right valves are preferentially collected by humans for craft or cultural purposes thereby leav-
ing left valves as the dominant. This would explain our observations, but we have no evidence
to suggest there is any truth to it.

t Conclusions

Our surveys show conclusively that there were more left valves of Panopea zelandica washed up above
spring high tide level along much of the length of Ohope Beach. Our measurements show that there are no
consistent differences in the shape and size of left and right valves that might explain the survey results.
We conclude that the most likely explanation is that left and right valves may behave differently in the
swash zone and go in different directions as a result of their mirrored asymmetry with left valves being
washed further up the shore, particularly during a major stonn prior to 2006. Our results also suggest that
the shells on the beach have been accumulating there for many years, if not decades, as no more than 10%
have a matching left or right valve present in the collection.

Acknowledgments

^ We thank Danielle Carter and Hanno Grenfell for finding some of the original geoduck shells in 2006.

22

MASS MATING OF THE MUD SNAIL, AMPHIBOLA CRENATA

Bruce W Hayward

I’ve been walking New Zealand’s intertidal mudflats for many years but never had I come across the mass
mating event I encountered in West Haven Inlet, North West Nelson, in December last year. I was there
with colleagues Hugh Grenfell and Brigida Figueira studying foraminifera in a sheltered high tidal arm of
this large harbour.

Late in the afternoon on a
particularly fine and sunny day (2
Dec 2008), the tide was near its
spring low tidal maximum and as I
walked across the slightly muddy
sand flat I noticed that almost all
the mud snails {Amphibola
crenata) were grouped together in
pairs. M u d s n a i 1 s are
hennaphrodites but come together
to mate and exchange their genetic
material. Each pair was
surrounded by a small raised ridge
of sand that grew as the snails
seemed to slowly rotate clockwise
together in a tight circle. The
snails were oriented aperture to
aperture. It was noticeable that in
many instances the individuals in
the pair were of quite different sizes. An occasional threesome was also observed. A quick count indicated
that at least 50% of all snails were coupled up. Snails smaller than about 1 cm across were not involved in
this activity. Total densities across the sand flat were estimated at 30-80 specimens per square metre.

i

' "-Jk ¥' ' j ■■ 1' ^ ■ "i .... ■ ’f "

Figure 1. Paired-up mudsnails during mass mating on a
low tide at Westhaven Inlet.

Figure 2. A pair of mudsnails rotating
clockwise during mating.

We returned next day, two low tides later; it was
raining gently and all snails were single and no
mating was occurring - much as seems to be the
case on all other occasions that 1 have visited the
shore. I wonder if mass mating is a usual
seasonal or annual event. If so, many mud snails
would have similar birthdays and annual cohorts
should be able to be recognised in the
population. Has anyone else observed this
phenomenon in this or other marine molluscs
around New Zealand coasts?

23

CARL LINNAEUS —SWEDISH NATURALIST (1707—1778)

Patricia Langford

Many readers have had similar experiences to mine — an unfamiliar voice on the phone saying “I have a
shell that is brown and white and goes round and round, what is it?” or, “I have one of those shells used as
a doorstop, do you know its name?”. Here is another serious challenge, “what are the trees with pointed
green leaves and white flowers?”.

• All naturalists owe a great deal to the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, and his orderly classifications that
introduced the binomial system to the scientific world. This system for naming species is still in use 300
years after his birth. Carl Linnaeus was bom in Sweden in 1707, his father Nils Linnaeus was a modest
Lutheran minister, amateur botanist and keen gardener. He and his wife decorated their baby son’s cradle
' with wildflowers and gave the young boy pretty flowers to distract him, when bored or restless. He
developed a fascination with all the plants he enjoyed collecting, and pestered his father for the names.
These names and their associated descriptive information became an integral part of his lifelong scientific
; interest in nature of all fonus. Linnaeus is still regarded as “the father of taxonomy” as he created the Latin
i binomial classification system we use. Even though he held creationist views all his life, he believed that
' humankind should discover, count, identify and appreciate all living organisms. Although he was not a
committed evolutionist, he did actually place Homo sapiens (his name) in a mammalian category including
j apes and monkeys.

When Linnaeus was 25, he travelled through Lapland (part of the Swedish Kingdom) and enthusiastically
I collected and studied everything possible, especially all the plants. He then took a medical degree in
Holland, but promptly returned to botany, on the pretext of the pharmaceutical importance of plants. He
developed an unusual ability to attract influential friends, willing assistants and collectors. Within several
years he published eight books, one was his Systema Naturae, the original document of modem taxonomy.
In this modest volume, he outlined three kingdoms of nature — plants, animals and minerals. Animals were
split into six classes ; Quadnipedia, Aves, Amphibia, Pisces, Insecta and Vermes. The last class included
most marine life such as starfish, barnacles, sea cucumbers and molluscs. Each order of Quadrupedia was
divided into general such as Leo, Ursus, Hippopotamus and Homo.

But plants were obviously his specialty and their classification was more comprehensive and orderly. This
was where he developed his sexual system through his recognition of flowers as sexual stmctures. He
sorted plants into 24 classes based on their sexual parts, but he often embarrassed and disturbed people
» with his comparisons between plants and complex human relationships. His class 8, including Fuchsia,
which has eight male stamens around a female pistil, is described by Linnaeus as “eight men in the same
bridal suite with one woman”. Modem botanists (thankfully) now use a different system, but the original
classification of Linnaeus, placing in groups and subgroups, gave a sound framework to modem biology.

His botanical system became rapidly accepted throughout Europe and he went on publishing numerous
books. His passion for natural systemic order moved taxonomy towards the revelations of Charles Darwin
and Alfred Russel Wallace. Regarding nomenclature he wrote: “If you do not know the names of things,
the knowledge of them is lost too”. Personally, I believe that in these modem times, with so much
published literature, the actual collection data is more important than the name, which any expert can
give — but of course, we still need names.

I

24

Throughout the 1700’s, as more and more species were being discovered, the ponderous method of naming
them with long chains of adjectives and references, grew unwieldy. Linnaeus then developed the Latin
binomial system, which was used for all species, plant and animal. He became a popular teacher and
lecturer at Universities and attracted many young followers eager to travel overseas and willing to do all his
foreign collecting for him. By the mid 1700’s he was the most renowned European naturalist and
corresponded with scientists around the world. Daniel Solander collected plants for Linnaeus during the
first voyage with James Cook, around the world.

In 1761, Linnaeus was requested by the Swedish Committee for Economics and Commerce to investigate
the possibility of growing pearls in lake mussels. Subsequently he produced the first known cultured pearls
from molluscs, using the freshwater Unio pictontm (Linnaeus 1758). This was known as the “Painter’s
Mussel” because artists mixed their pigment in the shells. Linaeus drilled a small hole in the mussel shells,
live from the lakes and rivers, inserted a grain of stone between the shell and mantle and cultivated pearls
which took at least six years to mature fully. Because this discovery was of such economic importance for
Sweden, Linnaeus received the noble title of “von” to add to his name.

He ended his days at his country home at Hammarby, which remained in his family for a century, then
became a National Museum. The walls of his old bedroom are still papered with numerous pictures of
flowers cut from plates or books, able to be viewed by visitors, three hundred years after his auspicious
birth.

The Linnaean Shell Collection

This collection is housed in the Linnaean Society rooms in London. Linnaeus’ interest in shells began in
1727, his first student year at University, where he attended lectures on molluscs, given by the eminent
Professor Stobaeus. In 1731, Linnaeus obtained a great number of shells from other collectors,
considerably adding to his own rapidly growing collection. It is now generally recognised that most of his
shells have their origins in places never visited by Linnaeus, and this method of collecting shells continued
throughout his life. In the mid 1760’s he moved his collection to a small stone house on his country estate
at Hammarby, near Uppsala. When Linnaeus died, his son Carl, supervised additions to the collection.
These included specimens from Joseph Banks, Daniel Solander and the Duchess of Portland.

In 1784, James Edward Smith, the well known botanist, purchased a significant number of the various
Linnaean collections and subsequently gave away some specimens. Some of the large shells in the general
collection were housed separately and inadvertently sold in 1863. Records from William Swainson, state
that the entire collections of shells and insects belonging to Joseph Banks were housed in the Museum of
the Linnaean Society. Several late 19th Century Natural History Museum malacologists worked on the
Linnaean shells, renaming and relabelling many of them, and arranging the specimens in a different way.

When Linnaeus published the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae in 1758, it described more than 700
species of molluscs, later editions added another 130 species, mostly common, wide-spread shells. The
taxonomic status of his work has undergone constant revision, until the mid 19th Century when Hanley
clarified many anomalies.

Peter Dance, in 1967, completed his extensive recent research on the current Linnaean collection and found
considerable evidence of mishandling of shells and their original labels and metal boxes. Many of the early
specimens that Linnaeus based his work on, have been lost or sold, and very little is available for present
day study.

However, the Zoological Museum of the University of Uppsala, Sweden, houses more than 1,000 lots of
Linnaean mollusca, but some of these show discrepancies when compared with those housed in London,
and further specimens seem to have been confused or added since the days of Linnaeus. In the 1750’s
Linnaeus commissioned a Swedish artist to paint 400 gastropods from the Queen’s personal Museum.
These unpublished paintings currently are housed in the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and many of
the actual shells used for the paintings survive in the Museum Louisa Ulricae collection in Uppsala.

References

National Geographic Magazine, June 2007

Way, Kathie, FLS, Natural History Museum, London. The Linnaean Shell Collection at Burlington House.
The Linnaean Special Issue No. 7, 2007.

Official photograph of Carl Linneaus

Linneaus aged 25 on Lapland
expedition

Some of Linnaeus’ plant
specimens (including this
Scabiosa) are preserved at the
Swedish Museum of Natural
History

26

A STORY WORTH TELLING ... AGAIN AND AGAIN

w

Neville Coleman

Mrmv. nevillecoleman. com. an

Most people’s idea of a shell is the external skeleton of a
mollusk, or something a hermit crab lives in and carries around
to protect its soft abdomen. Few have any idea that molluscs
(the animal and the shell) are an extremely important group in
the web of life in all our oceans and their continued presence
supports major commercial industries as a food source.

Molluscs are fed on by other molluscs, worms, crustaceans,
echinoderms, fish, birds and marine mammals and even more
so by humans Many aquatic creatures are dependent on
chitons, univalves, bivalves and cephalopods for their daily
sustenance. In the past to the present, divers have searched out
rare shells and sold them as a commodity like any other fishing
enterprise. Natural resources such as scallops, abalone,
oysters, mussels, clams, trochus, pearl shells, pipis, etc have
been exploited by humans as food, bait, ornaments and
precious stones in the form of pearls and pearl shell ornaments.

Even in this modem day when everybody is so aware of the
natural environment and that many of the ocean’s resources
have been plundered beyond recovery we still tend to only
think of shells as inanimate objects to be collected, or used as
road fill, ornaments such as lamp shades, or door stops.

Little thought is ever given to the living animals that have lives
and histories and are capable of unbelievable behaviours and
wonderful abilities.

Few can understand that these incredible life fonns are far
more than meets the eye and that humans can improve the
well-being of their lives Just by understanding that nature has
the key to all our problems and we can learn so much if we
slow down a bit and bother to look around us.

Horned Helmet Shells

The homed helmet shell {Ca.ssis cornuta) is a large (350mm)
carnivorous gastropod, which lives in the shallow waters of
lagoons, on sandy sea floor along the northern reaches of the
Great Barrier Reef, and across the Indo-Pacific.

Not so long ago we raped, pillaged
and destroyed nature in all its forms
as if it was our “God given right”.
Indeed, on the Bible I was brought up
on, dominant male humans were
encouraged to utilise or destroy
anything they saw fit, especially if it
did not bow to their beliefs. This is a
familiar theme in other religions I
made it my business to reason with in
younger days.

Due to the new age of concern about
nature and the health of the planet in
general (and the fact that we have
destroyed a large amount of the '
planet’s living resources) our
attitudes are slowly giving way to
becoming a bit less plundering.

Shell collecting has been a worldwide
“business” and vast areas and
species have been all but wiped out
by the insatiable appetites of
souvenir collectors. While in my day
divers collecting Helmet Shells to be
killed and used for doorstops was
normal, today we know and care a
little more.

27

The mollusc is generally found in colonies, although individuals may disperse over a wide area. Due to
heavy collecting for the tourist trade to be used as door stops and lamp shades through the years, the
species is now completely protected within Australian waters. During the day most specimens are
dormant, lying partly buried in the sand in depths of 5 to 20m.

Their food consists almost entirely of heart urchins, which they attack by rasping a hole through the test of
the urchin with their radula and using their proboscis to suck out the soft parts.

Sexual dimorphism exists, with the males being smaller in size and having fewer but larger knobs on the
shoulder of the shell, while the female is more rotund, is larger shelled, and has uniform smaller knobs on

the shoulder of the shell. A small brown chitonous operculum is
present on the foot, but this seems of little use for protection as it
only covers about one quarter of the total aperture length.

A Giant Helmet Shell bulldozing its
way across the sandy bottom searching
for buried heart urchins.

merely act as light receptors,
prosobranchs.

At night the homed helmet is quite active, crawling over the sand
and low profile reef in search of prey. As with other prosobranch
molluscs, the eyes are not capable of fonning clear images and
All other functions and senses are thought to be similar to other

Homed helmet shells use two methods of digging. One is to
burrow ahead at an angle, using the wide flanges of the shell
aperture to push away the sand. At other times they will rise up on
their strong foot and bring the shell down hard on to the bottom,
displacing the sand around and forming a depression. By repeating
this process they are able to excavate a shallow hole.

This small amount of text contained most of the infonnation known about living Cassis comuta in
' Australia at the time.

Getting Sorted at Samaurez

i 17/09/74 Samaurez Reef, Coral Sea, 6.30-9.30 pm:

While carrying out my normal recording functions under-water, 1 was on my way back from my third
shallow-water dive of the day (7m) when I passed three homed helmet shells in close proximity to the
charter boat. At that time I took little notice other than to assume that some other divers had collected
! them, taken them on board, and that the skipper had ordered that they be thrown back as they belonged to a
I protected species (this later proved to be correct). The shells had landed in a triangle such that each was
about 5 metres away from the others. Two of them had landed with their right side up, but one had landed
on its anterior end and the entire front was buried in the sand.

It never occurred to me to stop and turn this shell over, as my mind was full of an hour’s observations, in
which 1 had taken two rolls of film on behaviour involving several new records, and I had a new species in
my collecting bag. 1 was also anxious to change film, have my tank filled and get back into the water.

It was just coming on to change over time and I wanted to be back under water at dusk to see what
happened in this area when it got dark. Little did 1 know that by ignoring that shell and swimming past it, 1
would set the scene on one of the most exciting observations of my (then) 16 years in the sea.

Within the hour 1 was back in the water and as 1 swam up to the anchor line there was still enough light to
see that the two shells were crawling towards the buried one. 1 continued the dive and an hour later, low on
air and with only two shots left in one camera, 1 retraced my way to the anchor line and froze at what the
torchlight revealed.

28

The two helmet shells were now in tandem and were crawling around the shell that was partly buried, in a
tight circle. They had furrowed a depression around the immobile shell, having dug away the sand with the
front flanges of their shells as efficiently as if they were a pair of miniature bulldozers.

In the 16 years of working underwater I’ve seen a
thousand impressive sights and a thousand new ones,
but nothing like this. I could hardly believe what was
happening, but took the pictures anyway.

Lying on the bottom in the dark, barely daring to
breathe, I watched two “unintelligent, unemotional”
invertebrates, without vision, or any known form of
communication, with pea-sized “brains” and no
reasoning mechanism that we are aware of, combine
their actions to assist another of their species in trouble. *

By the time I swam on to the duckboard of the charter
boat I was shaking from head to toe, my hands
wouldn’t work and my feet had a will of their own.
Those who saw me thought I’d had a scare. Scared
wasn’t half of it. I was awe-struck. The tears poured
from my eyes and sobs wretched my chest.

But why? Why should I let this example of innate behaviour response, triggered by some unexplained
stimuli, affect me so much. 1 don’t know. Maybe because I’m human. Here was a survival technique
unheard of in marine invertebrates. What if, because of the effects of stonns and cyclones, homed helmets
couldn’t right their own shells from certain positions on the sand and depended upon a special “May Day”
chemical release which others in the immediate vicinity could pick up and respond to! All hypothetical, of
course, but it did provoke thought. Thought or not, the clashing of tanks and equipment brought me ^
quickly to my senses; several other divers were getting their gear ready to dive later that evening.
Realising what effect the presence of other divers might have on the concluding stages of this epic, I
quickly had my tank filled, changed films in the cameras and while the others were having tea, I once again
rolled off the duckboard into the cold black depths.

The scene had entered another phase. Both working shells
were now actively engaged in pushing the partly buried
shell along on its side from behind. With slow methodical
determination they had manoeuvred it into a position where
it could be turned back onto its normal underside. 1
watched enthralled as one reared up on to the turned shell’s
back and pushed from a higher aspect, providing the
leverage that eventually righted the upturned shell.

1 watched for as long as my air lasted and with my last
frame, exposed a final record of the three shells, now all
right side up. There were two big males and one little
male, almost siphon to siphon, and the little one had buried
a few centimetres, perhaps seeking the family security of
the sand after several hours of exposure. Three molluscs,
just touching. Just being, for a moment in time that was

By digging out a trench around the fallen shell
and pu.shing it along from behind and the side,
they were successful in turning it over onto its

Two Giant Helmet Shells combining to excavate sand
from around their stricken co-specific. What is unbe-
lievable about this is that it was being done in tandem;
in pitch-black conditions without the benefit of eyes
or any other form of communication we lowly humans
can even understand.

mine.

At that instant I didn’t care too much for computer analysis, innate behaviour mechanisms or key stimuli. I
hated what my brain would eventually do to that scene. I cursed every bit of cold calculating behavioural
biology I’d ever learnt, every critical realism, and casual analysis. I hated beyond hate science, myself and
the world in general, because I knew in my heart that this, like a thousand other encounters in the animal
world must fade into the objectiveness of a thousand unknowns. Because science has strict and exacting
principles, of which feelings play no part, one is not supposed to evaluate animal behaviour in terms of
human experiences, behaviours and emotions. To do so is termed to be anthropomorphism — the ascription
of human characteristics to that which is not human — and if science were a religion, then
anthropomorphism would get you ex-communicated, to say the least.

Nevertheless, regardless of how, or why, I saw two lovely invertebrates spend several hours saving the life
of another ‘lowly’ invertebrate and nobody on this planet is going to convince me otherwise.

Since this story was published many years ago, science has conducted experiments and found that these
facts to be true. Fancy that! We have really advanced very little in regard to our knowledge of the
interactive behaviour of sea creatures. If as admitted we only have 1% of the world recorded there is still a
lot to keep many thoughts of scuba diving underwater naturalists enthralled for the next couple of hundred
years.

“The sequel to one of
the most moving
events I have ever

witnessed in the sea.
The three giant
molluscs (all males)
have come all

together after the

drama, in a siphon to
siphon group, as if
they were “bonding”
or providing
assurance to the

30

CLEANING AND RESTORING SHELLS

Margaret Morley

This article was originally published in Poirieria Volume 16, No 4 September 1992 and has kindly been
reprinted with pemiission of the author.

Before delving into the many and varied ways of cleaning shells I pose two questions :

1 . Do you “need” live taken shells? If you have convinced yourself that the answer is “yes” then,

2. Should shells be cleaned? Recent trends emphasise the importance of malacology rather than
conchology. That gem specimen in your collection may be useless to scientists because the animal’s
body parts with their unique DNA have been flushed down the plug hole!

However, let us assume you have decided to take live specimens. Consider the least number that will
suffice. Remember, the more you collect the more they smell! Leave damaged or immature shells behind
to breed. While collecting and throughout the cleaning process, record full details with each shell. To
quote Goldsmith: “Memory is a fond deceiver”. Beware of using ball point pen — it won’t write in the rain,
and totally disappears if you put in contact with methylated spirits! Some collectors use a pencil in the
field. Most paper will disintegrate if left in water. Tyvek is ideal, it survives all treatment.

Methods

Dead Shells

If the shell is dead, just soak for one hour in fresh
water, then wash gently if fragile; or scrub with an old
toothbrush. A soak in dilute Janola may bring up the
original colour. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.

Hermit Crabbed Shells

You may need to know which henuits respond to
which methods! Some Brisbane crabs will shake out.
Tropical Island henuits will hop out of the shell if you
whistle into the aperture (if you have the knack!). A
lighted cigarette applied to the shell spire often also
works. Less dramatically, try leaving them sealed dry
in a plastic bag somewhere warm — they die extended
from the shell. The whole body can then be removed
with tweezers. A steady pull while rotating the shell
is most likely to be successful. A large shell, eg
Charonia, can be suspended upside down overnight,
and the henuit crab will fall out.

✓

Tape string onto spire and suspend shell upside down.

31

Bivalves

Strong shells can be frozen and will gape. Soak more fragile shells in fresh water. When the valves gape
the body can be flushed out, eg Offadesma angasi. The attachment of the adductor muscles often needs a
scrape. Close the valves and secure while drying with a strip of paper towel and a turn of masking tape.
Beware the use of rubber bands or twisties; as if forgotten these can permanently stain or damage the shell.
If a bivalve dries open, try immersing the hinge in hot water and detergent — this relaxes the ligament and
the valves may then be closed .... Carefully! When clean and dry treat the hinge with the chiton
preservative — 50% glycerine, 50% isopropyl alcohol. It penetrates easily, keeps the ligament supple, and
does not go mouldy if reapplied annually. Too much glycerine may attract insects! Check condition
annually in humid weather.

Live Univalves (under 10mm)

If you wish to prevent the animal and operculum withdrawing out of sight, allow the animal to become
groggy in air overnight or wait until it does not respond briskly to prodding. Then immerse in 70% meths
(do not use pure alcohol) for one or two weeks according to size. (Using 100% meths dries out the animal
too much for use in dissection work and the purple dye in meths may stain shells.) Occasionally you may
spot a very pale bottle of meths in the supermarket, or you can buy clear meths from a chemist. When
caught without meths, surgical spirit or spirit drinks such as gin make temporary substitutes.

Microscopic shells should be washed in fresh water, then immersed in 50% ethanol followed by thorough
drying.

Live Univalves (over lOmmI

The trouble begins!

^ Bury in the garden : Not recommended in New Zealand. In the tropics especially, protection is
needed against rats and pigs. Ants do the job but not quickly enough for holiday-makers. Norman
Douglas used to put his shells in a sealed box at the far end of the garden and wait for several weeks
until they rotted. They were then hosed out, etc — a possible method if you are patient, but it is easy
to forget them! Also, the rotting animal may damage the shell.

=> Boiling : Do not boil shiny shells like cowries because the surface may craze; and avoid this method
for precious shells. Boiling can be used as a quick method with species such as Penion and
Struthiolaria. Cover the shells with cold water, slowly bring to the boil, simmer for up to 10 minutes
(depending on size), then cool until you can handle them. As for hermits, grip the animal with
tweezers or dental tool, maintain a steady pull, and rotate the shell as you feel the animal “give”.
Then rinse and dry.

=> Throw at sand : In Aitutaki in the Cook Islands 1 was shown their method of cleaning cowries. My
prize Cypraea tigris was forcefully and repeatedly thrown at a pile of sand. Within a minute the
body had liquidized and just ran out. There was no shell damage! This is not a good method for the
faint hearted!

=> Soak in old engine oil : After three days of this treatment the body can be hosed out. Despite
reassurances, the doubters wondered if this would cause staining of the shells. Shells can also be
soaked in oil, ie baby oil, to lessen encrustations.

Microwave : For best results start with live shells, but it also works for frozen specimens. It is not
suitable for small shells or rotten animals. Disasters like exploding shells have been reported, so
proceed with care. Put the shell on a paper plate and cover with a paper towel, or pop inside a bag.
The animal comes out with an audible ‘pop’. Suggested times on medium power are small (50
seconds), medium (50 seconds to 1.5 minutes), large (1.5 to 6 minutes — check every 2 minutes).

Fridge : Live taken specimens for dissection can be kept alive for up to a week in a container with
seaweed (no seawater). If deep frozen they are not so easy to dissect.

Deep freeze : Do not freeze fragile shells as they may crack. Freezing is useful for temporary storage
if you are busy. Shells can be brought out in manageable lots at a later date. Also, freezing
facilitates removal of the animal. If not all the body is removed the first time the shell can be re-
frozen and the process repeated until the shell is clean.

Plastic box : There is now a plastic box on the market which has a slicker pad in the lid. This keeps
specimens cool for the travelling collector.

Washing out ; Wait until the animal is well rotted, or alternatively soak for a week in a 50% meths
solution. Keep the operculum (NB Bullina lineata has one). If you haven’t already extracted the
operculum, squirt the shell over a bucket or put the plug in the sink. Some washed up shells have the
operculum still inside. As well as a sharp squirt from the tap or hose, a quick flick of the wrist may
dislodge the animal. A coiled wire tool or dentists tool may help. A size range of fish hooks is
especially useful on shells with narrow apertures such as cones. If not totally successful the shell can
be soaked in water with a pinch of salt added. Change this water daily to prevent shell damage by
acidic water. Resquirt at intervals until the shell is clean.

Recycled Dentist ’s Tool : broken ends reground to a chisel edge for cleaning shells

Dentist ’s Tool : for extracting bodies and hennits

:> Desperation measures : The animal still inside and smelling? To check which shells need further
treatment, make a small hole in a piece of black cardboard as shown below. Look through the hole at
the shell against a strong light. The dark remains in the spire indicate the culprit — further treatment
is required.

=> Hydrogen peroxide, caustic soda solution, or 100% Janola can be dropped directly into the aperture.
An old egg carton is handy support to keep the aperture upwards. Leave for several days and then
resquirt to remove the animal parts, repeating if necessary. Caution — beware of damage to skin and
eyes from caustic soda. It is essential to soak shells in water after chemical treatments to prevent
long term damage. Alternative strategies are dropping 70% meths or alcohol into the aperture and
allowing to dry; sealing off the aperture with melted wax, pouring shellac into the aperture and
finally for large shells, drilling a fine hole near the apex and blowing out the remains.

Using an egg carton for support

34

Removing encrustations

=> Janola bleach : Completely immerse the shell in a 10-50% solution of bleach for 5 minutes to 12
hours. Start with a weak solution for a short time, and gradually increase the concentration if not
successful. Check if the encrustation is becoming loose. A large shell can be treated in a plastic bag
which is shaken occasionally. When the encrustation is chipping off use a wire brush, copper for
preference, on tougher shells. A sharpened dentists chisel used under a lens is more precise for
delicate or precious specimens like Chlamys and Murex species.

=> Diluted hydrochloric acid (50%) : Use with extreme care and use goggles as acid in the eye can blind.
People with sensitive skin should use gloves. Heavy, stained, or eroded shells such as volutes
respond well to this method. Remember you are dissolving off the outer layer — once too many times
makes a hole! Use glass containers. Have a container of water beside you to plunge the shell into ^
and stop the reaction instantly at the desired stage. Dip or paint on the acid briefly and do not allow
the acid into the aperture. Vaseline can be smeared on parts not needing more treatments.
Afterwards, soak thoroughly in clean water. A final polish with Scotchbrite, wet and dry sandpaper,
then Brasso when dry, can recreate the original gloss.

=> Lemon juice ; I have not tried this -use as for acid, a less dangerous method.

Periostracum treatment

This maintains the natural look of the outer periostracum, eg Ranellids. It is essential to keep the

periostracum wet during the cleaning stage. When clean, apply either :

=> 50% glycerine 50% isopropyl alcohol : This reduces mould. Keep a close check on specimens, ^

especially in humid Auckland. Reapply at yearly intervals. Mouldy spots can be checked with a dab
of meths.

^ Bob Penniket’s recipe : 60% PVA glue 40% water — just paint on and allow to dry. It has the
advantage of reattaching any pieces of periostracum that are cracking off

=> Please note that recipes including fomialin should not be used as it is a known carcinogen.

Final preparation

=> Glue the operculum onto cotton wool using a water based glue. Make sure it is the right way up! ^
=> If needed, write a catalogue number on the shell.

=> Baby oil (note from editor ; or paraffin oil) applied very sparingly will bring up the colour and gloss
on some species. Neopol polish renews the shine on Cypraea. Too much of either will attract dust
and stain labels.

=> Write out the label with full details. Labels should be inside tubes.

I

35

Byne’s or Museum Disease

Despite the name, this condition is not due to bacteria or fungi; but is a chemical corrosion evidently
caused by residual traces of acids or alkalis. It can develop 10 to 50 years after collection, and shows up as
a powdery white covering. If left, this thickens and eventually penetrates the layers of the shell. A small
shell may totally disintegrate. To prevent your collection suffering, note the following points.

=> Seal any particle board used in cabinets with several layers of varnish.

=> Do not use oak cabinets as they give off acidic fiimes.

=> Have your cabinets well ventilated.

^ Metal boxes and shelves are ideal,
i

=> Cheap soda glass emits alkaline fumes.

^ Microscopic shells are best in gelatin capsules inside another tube for protection.

=> Avoid cotton wool, especially in tightly sealed containers, as both caustic and acid is used in some
manufacturing processes — cellulose is better.

=> Corks give off acidic fumes, but plastic stoppers are OK.

=> Foam plastic eventually deteriorates and shells stick to it, and the same goes for Blu-tak.

=> Do wash and dry all specimens before storage.

' Check your collection regularly.

If Byne’s disease is noticed, wash off all traces and seal the shell surface with oil.

Summary

Most shell books give shell cleaning information but different sources often give conflicting advice. I have
either used the methods discussed in this article myself with success, or have had them personally
recommended to me. However, I hope this article will spark further debate.

Acknowledgements

To the late Norman Douglas and Bob Penniket for much infonnation and inspiration. Thanks to Peggy
Town for the methods involving using acids, and to the many members of the Conchology Section for their
contributions.

References

Poirieria Vol 1 Page 97 “the problem of cleaning shells” by TP Warren.

Poirieria Vol 5 page 32 “preserving Chitons”

Poirieria Vol 14 No 2 page 6 “periostracum preservation” by Norman Douglas
“Seashells of Southern Africa” - the section on how to look after the collection
“New Zealand Mollusca” by AWP Powell, Page 1

j “Compendium of seashells” by R Tucker Abbot and S Peter Dance, Page 14

36

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR COLLECTION

Peter Poortman

Collecting shells is an enjoyable and educational hobby.

But as the years go by, a collection can become a burden, especially if it is big and takes up a lot space.

In some cases it may take up an entire room which could have been put to better use, for example to ^
accommodate someone. In other cases it may be a deciding factor in not moving to a better house or '
location because of the effort required.

Collections need ongoing care and maintenance, and the shells can deteriorate if this is not provided. A
neglected collection will eventually lose its value, and rare shells tend to become not so rare over time.

So, if the interest has faded and the collection is all but forgotten, it's time for some hard decisions.

But it is difficult to part with something into which a lot of time and money has been invested - not to
mention the emotional attachment formed by many good collecting memories.

The easy option is to do nothing, but in the long run that is an unfortunate choice.

A good collection is sometimes lost because the owner passes away without making adequate arrangements {
for it. But it can also be a burden to a beneficiary who has little time and/or interest to deal with it.

In any case, what use is a collection if those magnificent specimens never see the light of day? - eg by
being on display in Shell Shows, or being of some benefit to science.

So if the passion has gone, and your collection is gathering dust, something should be done about it sooner
rather than later.

Here are some suggestions:

Auction all or part of the collection

Your shell club or a public auction house could be employed to do this, but they will charge you a
percentage of the sales price.

There is often limited space available at shell club auctions, so this option may take years to complete, and
the bulk of the collection may not attract many, if any, bids.

Unless your collection is of historical renown, it will probably not do very well at public auction.

Good online auction sites as well as overseas auction sites specifically for shells can be found easily on the
Internet. However this option would require a lot of effort to prepare, photograph and describe your lots,
as well as packaging and posting.

37

I

I

Sell it as a complete collection

This is a relatively simple option, but the purchase price will likely be much less than you believe to be
fair. Some effort should be put into making the collection presentable, and you will also need to make it
available for viewing. But most important is the need to advertise it as widely and as well as possible.
Deciding on a selling price is difficult, so the best method may be to call for bids over a set timeframe, and
the highest bid wins.

Sell it piece by piece

Probably the best shells will sell quickly, and you will then have difficulty selling the 'not so spectacular'
bulk of the collection. Most NZ shells are endemic, so you may do better with these on the worldwide
market, but foreign collectors normally insist on gem specimens only, and there are restrictions on what
can be exported.

Give it to a museum

This is the best option if your collection contains many items of scientific value. It is also an easy way to
dispose of the collection, and there is philanthropic comfort in knowing that it will be of benefit to science.
But the truth is that some museums do not need or want the bulk of your collection - especially if the
collect data is not of a high standard. Rather than giving them the whole collection, it would be better to
just let the museum have first pick of whatever it wanted.

Give it away to fellow collectors

This is the best option if you want to dispose of the collection quickly, and are not concerned about
recovering the cost of building it. It will also give you a good dose of "wann fuzzies", and you will
undoubtedly be remembered fondly for many years by many people. This option would be a huge boost
for new collectors who often have difficulty obtaining good specimens for their new-found passion. Your
treasured shells will once again be the source of enjoyment, and be given the attention they deserve.

If you are selling your shells overseas, be aware of the ‘Protected Objects Act’ which came into force on 1
November 2006, and supersedes the ‘Antiquities Act’. Amongst other things it prohibits unapproved
export of:

"A specimen of an extant or extinct rock or mineral, animal, or other organism or fossil or part thereof
including any development stage, shell, or skeletal or supporting element, of which there is not a sufficient
selection in New Zealand public collections to define the variation, range, and environmental context of the
taxon or object.”

Fine for infringement up to $100,000 or 5 years imprisonment. For more infonnation go to
www.protected-objects.govt.nz. Essentially this renders the export of nationally important specimens
illegal.

Parting with your treasures will be difficult, even if you haven't looked at them for many years.

So it would be wise to take good photos of your entire collection before it "moves on"!

THE SAD DEMISE OF A GREAT COLLECTION

Peter Poortman

Taffy Hook was a member of our CSAMI club in the 1960's and 1970's.

He was an active collector, who through his work on deep sea trawlers and as a diver on oil rigs, managed
to obtain deep water material back in the days when very little was known about that fauna.

He collected with Dr Richard 'Dick' Dell (former director of the then Dominion Museum), and found
several new species of crabs, starfish, and other marine species.

Taffy had always wanted to be a Marine Biologist but for various reasons that never eventuated. However,
he did manage to build an impressive collection of NZ shells, and wrote the following articles in our
Poirieria magazine:

=> vol 7/2 (Sep 1973) - New Plymouth, The Harbour Area
=> vol 7/3 (Mar 1974) - Kawaroa Reef, New Plymouth
=> vol 8/1 (Sep 1975) - Cowries in Taranaki Waters?

Over time Taffy's collection of NZ shells grew to about 1200 lots, including many rare species, and was of
scientific value.

I

Wanting to do something useful with it, Taffy decided to lend his collection to Fred and Myrtle Flutey who
owned the Paua House near Invercargill where Taffy now lived.

He had an agreement with the Flutey's that his collection would go on display to the public, but what
actually happened is best described in Taffy's own words ...

"It was my original intention to photo (slide) my entire NZ collection, but as with many things in our lives
it was not completed. It was to be followed by another slide collection of the comprehensive assortment of
marine species; crabs, starfish, bristle worms, etc. - some 200 different units all together with the shells.

Richard Dell of Dominion Museum stated it was the biggest collection of an amateur he'd seen - a
comment of which I was proud. I had sent three items to the Museum with good results [see publication list
below]. Also a Pycnogonid (sea spider) female with eggs, the first time one in this condition had been seen •
by the museum.

When my entire collection went to Bluff, I asked if he wanted any help in setting it up, as his knowledge
was limited, and should have sounded warnings. He declined the offer, two months later 1 called down to
see how he was doing.

Now, most of the shells sat in 2.5 x 2.5 cardboard boxes, with ID label inside. My first horror was to find
he had poured some type of glue into the boxes and sat shells in it!

But worse was to come.

39

I

I could not see any marine items, he was away but his wife was there so asked the question where are they?
"Oh those" she said airily, "they weren't shells so we dumped them in the tip"!

stood stunned and disbelieving, the collections were in cabinets 1 meter high with various depth drawers
and two meters long in all. There was 1 60 drawers of material all up (shells and marine creatures).

Scared, I asked what about the 8 drawers of glass phials with all the minute material, some 300 species in
all? "Oh those, no, they were dumped as well".

I was numb with shock and anger, they didn't own the material, it was on loan to boost the Paua House
attraction. He had sorted all the showy shells, anything that didn't stack up, went. A big collection of
chitons - gone, limpets - gone, 40 years of work thrown in the tip!

I just had to get out of there, if he had come home I would have 'whacked' him. I will admit I was in tears
as I made my way back to car and home.

He rang later, "what was I going on about, it was junk"!!

I will leave you to imagine the remainder of the conversation. So that was that.

There was still a lot of very good material left. Suddenly both he and his wife died and I made the trip to
obtain what was left, only to be told by his [grandjson he had bought the place, lock, stock and barrel!

I raised hell. Bluff was in an uproar, as he said he was packing up and taking all the material with him. It
was the town's biggest tourist attraction.

I took legal advice but the cost would have been horrendous. The agreement they had signed was
watertight, and a trespass order was taken out against me.

Then, one day, in the dead of night a company arrived, packed it all up, and it is still unknown where it is.
The Paua went to Canterbury Museum - my material has just disappeared, to a tip I would say. The [grand]
son would enter into no talks at all, and now lives in Australia.

So, as they say, that is that."

Publications that refer to Taffy's collection

1. Records of the Dominion Museum Vol 6, No. 3 pp 13-28, 30/1/1968 Notes on NZ Crabs by RK Dell

2. Records of the Dominion Museum Vol 8, No. 15 pp 247-266 27/6/1974 New Species of brittle-stars
from NZ by Alan Baker

40

MASON BAY, STEWART ISLAND

Bev Elliott

Mason Bay, Stewart Island — the shell collector’s dream! Imagine walking along 13km of white sandy
beach, the sun shining warmly in a blue sky, white waves dancing on a sparkling blue sea, washing ashore
numerous Phalium harrisonae and other treasures of the deep. Abundant bird-life, dominated by the
friendly Mason Bay Kiwis, and at the end of a perfect day, a gorgeous sunset, for this is Rakiura, the land .
of the glowing skies!

So when Barry, Leader of the Kaikoura Tramping Group, phoned to say that “Jenny and I are flying to
Mason Bay on 9th October; would you like to come with us?” I jumped at this chance of a lifetime! So did
Peter, a keen wildlife photographer.

October 9th arrived at last, the little plane landed on the Mason Bay beach, and we stepped out to the grey
cloudy skies and wind that seemed to slice right through us — the weather that was to be our constant
companion throughout our stay. The dream soon gave way to reality. The shells? - one species, Tuatua,
Paphies subtriangulatum, millions of them. The birdlife? - about as many bush birds as one would see in
Kaikoura, and considerably less seabirds. The kiwis? - numerous footprints on the sand, and a few
screeches at night. The botany? - quite interesting, but too early for anything to be in flower. We hauled
our very heavy packs to the Mason Bay Hut, and prepared to enjoy our stay.

On day two we trekked the 9km to the south end of Mason Bay. After some distance the Tuatuas were (
joined by Zethalia zelandica, and then a few other species. By the time we reached “The Gutter” (the sand
bar that connects Stewart Island and Ernest Island) there were enough species to make a reasonable sort of
list — if one had time to spare. It was so far, that the others spent only a few minutes there, before setting
out on the return walk. I had brought my tent and sleeping bag as far as Doughboy Track, two thirds of the
way down the beach. So I had a little bit of time to look around. On day three I set out to climb Adams
Hill. At 401m it should be easy. Five hours later, long after I’d become thoroughly sick of it, a wee gap in
the bush gave me a glimpse of a wet and windy grey mound away in the distance. I turned back! A swift
movement in the crown ferns beside the track gave me my first glimpse of a Kiwi; it was gone before I
even realized what it was.

Day four saw me heading back to Mason Bay Hut. Among the “abundant bird life” on the beach (a few
Black Backed and Red Billed Gulls and Black Oystercatchers) was a dark bird like an immature Black
Backed Gull — and yet it seemed different. Although I approached it quite closely, it didn’t fly off and I I
thought if that really is a Southern Skua, Peter needs to video it before I try to get really close.

Soon the four of us were all on the beach, gradually edging closer and closer to the Skua, as it fed on a
small dead seal. There was no doubt of its identity when we got close, and Peter got some excellent video
footage, and even I got a few photos with my 70 zoom lens. At last our trip had produced something new.

Day five was the start of Barry and Jenny’s big 10-12 day tramp around the northern coast of Stewart
Island.

41

The skies were grayer and cloudier than ever, and the wind was whipping up a sandstorm. But I wanted to
go with them to the northern end of Mason Bay for there, surely I would find a few shells, just as there had
been a few at the southern end. I set off a few minutes before they did, down to the beach. Suddenly there
^was a great screech behind me, and there was a Kiwi, about 2m from the track — head thrown back and
beak open as it went through its repertoire of screeches. Then it poked around in the marram grass for
several minutes before running up and over a sand dune and disappearing — just before Barry and Jenny
arrived. And they were the ones who’d been putting such effort into Kiwi spotting, all to no avail. Seems
it’s a matter of pure luck.

We walked to the north end of Mason Bay. The sandy beach changed to smooth granite stones, the kind
that will roll under your feet and tip you over and break your ankle if not very careful. Barry and Jenny
walked on with sure-footed confidence, while I tottered unsteadily along, way behind. There was not a
shell to be seen. Even the Tuatuas had given up on this hostile environment. And then after “goodbye and
God bless you” Barry and Jenny were gone, climbing up a rope on the track(?) to Little Hellfire. Getting
up that steep slippery track with 12 days of food and equipment on your back may be a little taste of Hell,

. but the weather and temperature had more in common with Antarctica! I was left to make my lone way
back along Mason Bay, that bleak and inhospitable piece of coastline. Not a shell, hardly any birds, wind
whipping the waves and sand to a crescendo. Not a sheltered nook anywhere where 1 could sit down and
. eat my lunch. What an awful place! Yet I was enjoying its wild beauty and majestic fury, even though it
was so different to my dream of glorious Mason Bay.

Although the shells are so scarce there, plenty else washes ashore. Mason Bay is a beach cleaner’s
nightmare! Some of the plastic debris has been put to good use in making novel track markers, but most of
it remains on the beach, an unattractive reminder of the way man abuses our world.

And did I find a Phalium harrisonael Yes 1 did, not on the beach, but on a shelf in a little Hunter’s Hut.
Normally I wouldn’t go poking into a private hut, but this wasn’t normal, it was a matter of sheer survival :

' When I returned to my tent after the Adams Hill walk there arose a storm such as I’ve never experienced in
^ all my years of tramping. A howling gale and torrential rain were lashing my little tent and threatening to
annihilate it. I stuffed most of my gear into my pack, and bolted across the creek getting swamped in the
two or three minutes it took to reach the Hut. 1 had to laugh — there was a cupboard there with “Safe”
written on it. Yes, 1 was safe there. And so was the little Phalium, and 1 hope the finder really appreciates
the lovely shell he’s got there.

The DOC men 1 talked with knew nothing about Helmet Shells, or any shells. To my disappointment, they
had absolutely nothing off the beach that 1 could look at, or photograph.

And at the famous Bluff Paua House (ed : refer article by Peter Poortman, items from the Paua House
have now been relocated to the Christchurch Museum), my question about the Mason Bay Helmet Shell
brought a vague gesture in the direction of a Cassis cornuta. It seems Phalium harrisonae remains almost
unknown.

42

I

SHELL SHOW, 2009

The 2009 Shell Show was a great success, and by all accounts was enjoyed by the many participants and
visitors. We had almost 200 exhibits, and as usual the standard was higher than ever. The displays were
amazing, and visitors well and truly got their money's worth.

The judges had many difficult decisions to make, but managed to complete their task by 9pm on Friday
night - big winners were Heather Smith for her worldwide displays, and Peter Poortman for his New
Zealand displays.

I

We also had a record number of shell dealers this year, including Alistair Moncur from Britain and Marcus
Coltro from Femorale in Brazil.

The auction on Saturday was well attended and the bidding for some lots got quite competitive. The day
finished with an enjoyable meal and prizegiving at Valentines Restaurant.

Throughout the weekend we had a steady stream of visitors, with Lena Tmski being the lucky winner of
the raffle - a beautiful collection of shells donated by Heather Smith. i

Many thanks to all the club members who contributed in some way to make this our best ever show.

Organiser’s comment, by Peter Poortman

I

I We try to make every show better than the last, and this time there were many changes and improvements.
In particular . . .

1. more emphasis on the show as a friendly and fiin social event rather than as a competition.

2. greater encouragement for novice collectors and first time participants. This time there were four

show classes specifically for first-time or infrequent exhibitors.

3. exhibitor rules and conditions were greatly simplified and relaxed. Exhibitors were now given the
freedom to exhibit whatever they wanted (eg. number of shells) as long as their display conformed to
the class theme and conditions.

i

4. extensive overhaul of the judges guidelines and paperwork. The usual weighting system was
scrapped, and judges could now just use their own discretion. This greatly simplified the paperwork
and made the judging process much easier and faster. Judges were also given much better
information and controls to ensure that all classes were judged according to its particular theme and
conditions, and to ensure that no entries could be overlooked or misidentified.

' 5. more efficient table layout to accommodate the large number of exhibitors and dealers.

I

I

j 6. the award and trophy presentation process was modified to make it much more streamlined and
efficient.

I All these changes were a success, and we feel that 2009 was our best ever Shell Show.

Unfortunately though, this did not translate into bigger public attendance numbers. Despite an excellent
advertising campaign, public attendance numbers were lower than expected. We can only attribute this to
the fine weather over the weekend. Our intention next time will be to hold the Shell Show in mid-winter -
preferably on a cold and rainy weekend!

On the other hand, exhibitor and dealer numbers were better than ever. In fact, were it not for the
unfortunate absence of the Grange's and the Crosby's, there is no way we could have fitted in all the
exhibits and dealer tables.

Also, despite the low number of visitors the hall was a little cramped, so we will probably need to find a
larger venue next time - suggestions welcome!

Competitor/Seller’s comment, by Doug Snook

It was good to have a small but fit group to establish the tables, etc in position on Friday morning to enable
exhibitors to bench exhibits in good time. We were very fortunate to have had Peter Poortman as Show
Convenor, ably supported by Heather Smith and our President, Martin Walker. You could say if you want
to do well with your exhibits, be prepared to get involved — you just might learn how to be inspired and
become a successful winner as well!

With almost 200 exhibits and the standard improving at each show, this makes some of us who have
exhibited at Shell Shows since 1978 finding it much harder to gain the coveted 1st prize in any class. It
was great to discover that almost every exhibitor gained an award for a placing including a number of first
time exhibitors, which I thought was rather special.

44

Another draw card was 1 0 dealers — a record number were there attracting many happy customers. Alistair i
Moncur from Britain, Marcus Coltro of Fermorale in Brazil, Pita Demertzis from Greece, Ron Moylan, i
Ena Coucom and Barbara Jouvemaux from Australia. Mike and Val Hart, Selwyn Bracegirdle, Doug and i
Judith Snook, Jim and wife, all from New Zealand. |

The Saturday was the most popular day for visitors, possibly part of the reason was buyers wanted to have
first pickings from the various dealers with shells for sale, plus exhibitors were keen to see who the judges
had chosen for prize winning classes. In fact a cup of tea or coffee was out of the question until well in the
afternoon for most dealers.

The end result was a very successful Shell Show which financially was encouraging too, in that we were
able to cover all expenses with a few dollars to spare. So thank you all for your efforts and support in what
will be remembered as a great time for all that appreciate the beautiful world of shells.

Attendee’s comment, by Jan Munroe

On Sunday morning, I arrived at the venue to take up my rostered spot on the door entry. There was a
quiet hush in the hall as Shell Club members, dealers and entrants quietly re-viewed the aisles of shell trays
carefully realigning trays and labels where required, cleaning the glass covers on their trays and taking
photographs of entries that they admired. Fellow shell collectors from out of town were greeted with
genuine delight. Bursts of laughter and loud conversation could be heard while fond memories of years
gone by were retold.

The doors were officially opened for the day and small family groups began to arrive — first taking their
time to view the shells as part of the raffle prize, then moving around the hall to the show tables, and
sellers. Clusters formed around visitor’s favourite trays and children scurried up and down the aisles
before being quietened by their parents. I remembered again what it felt like to come to your first Shell
Show and see beautifully displayed those shells that you had only seen in books.

As people trickled out the door, I was told how beautiful the shells were, how incredible the displays were,
were they painted? and what an enjoyable morning outing they had had.

A great Show — thanks to the team of organisers for their many hours of time they have put into what
proved to be a great success.

SPRING SHELL SHOW, SEPTEMBER 1984

Patricia Langford

The Spring Shell Show weekend in September 1984 was fine
and sunny. The North Shore Times had published a picture
of Milford members, Stan and Peggy Town at a local beach,
with an accompanying story about the Conchology Section
and the Shell Show at Akoranga College Hall in Northcote.

I was asked to be a judge, alongside Walter Cemohorsky,

Museum Malacologist. When I explained this is to my three
young children they innocently renamed him with a marine theme — Mr Cemoseahorsky. It was
understandable because their favourite TV programme was “The Undersea World of “Shark” Cousteau”.
Sadly, no children matured into marine biologists, in spite of all the years of shell collecting and observing
marine life — but I digress.

Norman Gardner and his woodwork students made large wooden trays for exhibits, these were made to the
exact measurements of glass panes, loaned by Jim Goulstone, before they were used in his tomato
greenhouses. While Bob Penniket set up his favourite trays, his wife Thora decorated the walls of the hall
with posters and shell artwork. Who was that young man up a ladder, outside the hall, with the sign? Anne
Randall (with friends Norman and Loma Douglas) made exquisite delicate shellcrafl pictures and plaques.
J Albie Alio, who was our able auctioneer for many years, is seen with Peggy Town and Rae Sneddon. A
youthful Steve O’Shea is absorbed in setting up his exhibit — who could have foreseen his lifelong work
and passion? Can you spot Dave Gibbs (sporting his distinctive hat) with his young family? Joan Coles
graciously awarding a prize to our dedicated landsnail enthusiast — Jim Goulstone. In another group photo
she is with Margaret Morley and Stan Town (many years as Treasurer). There is a picture of Doug
Snook’s mum Olive, unwrapping a shell treasure of her own.

Then there are the judges, easy to pick them, deep in contemplation and difficult decisions. Bob Penniket
again, conversing with Kevin Burch about favourites, Maureas and Muricidae. Last but not least. Bob
Grange, with arms full of his own treasures. I recall he displayed many deep water New Zealand shells,
rarely seen in those days. I believe Bob and Betty’s son Ken helped by procuring choice specimens for
(their collection.

Late Sunday afternoon, I was
asked to make my first public
speech, and close the show. I
can’t remember what I said,
only the sea of happy faces at
the end of a memorable Shell
Show.

49

P 0 i r i e r i a .
flier i can Museui
Hi st or y
Rece i ved

iHIHH

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Editorial
Patrick Langford

■ *

■ Letter to the Editor

m^anBeu.

K , Guide to finding predatory shellfish in the wider Auckland region

Scott T PWdngton and D/ Bryony J James

H . ' MoUusca dredged from Port Pegasus, Stewart Island

B Alan G Beu and Bruce Hayward

y|

Aspects of abalone aquaculture and polyculture

Michael K Eagle

Hinea Brasiliana alive and well at North Cape

Bruce W Hayward and Margaret S Morley

13

Hauraki marine park profiles in brief

Maj^aret S Morley

Living Fossils '

Zvz Orlin,

17
205

The earthquake ^trikes Christchurch

Colleen Patterson

29

j -tj

jr.

EDITORIAL

My thanks go out to all the contributors who have made this issue possible in the
year of 2010. This is also the 80th birthday of our organisation, celebrating its
long connection with the Auckland Museum by returning to its origins with a night
at the Museum Marine Department. Our Club has been held together by a small,
dwindling band of dedicated members and like so many other similar
organisations, continues to have difficulty attracting new members and youthful
enthusiasts. These are the lifeblood of any club, yet most people prefer to explore
both the internet and the wider world, through regular personal travels. Our own members often speak
enthusiastically of visits to foreign shores and exotic locations, and interest in the natural world embraces
complementary topics such as bird-watching, wildflower viewing, nature photography, and increasing
interest in the observation and welfare of marine mammals.

Visits to the humble local beach seem to have been largely discarded in favour of exploration from the
comforts and temptations offered by the burgeoning cruise boat industry, and the urgency of exploring
distant shores while still relatively pristine — according to the travel brochures. Even the CEO of a major
Australasian financial institution makes a quarterly contribution to his publication, with articles on his
personal world travels. Life after people still seems a long way in the future. The careful, quiet observers
of more modest indicators of the wellbeing of our precious natural world, are more Loners than Lemmings.

Keep up the good work — we need you!

November 2010

“Poirieria” is the journal of the Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum Institute (CSAMl),
incorporating Auckland Shell Club.

Subscription to “Poirieria” is by membership of the CSAML All correspondence regarding membership,
change of address, distribution queries, back issues, etc should be addressed to the Secretary (please refer
to annual members list for current name and address.

We welcome contributions on suitable topics forwarded to the above address.

Views expressed in the “Poirieria ” are those of contributors and may not necessarily reflect the opinion of
the CSAML

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

2 September 2009
Dear Editor,

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: LINNEAUS’ COLLECTION IN LONDON

Having read the article by Patricia Langford about Linnaeus in the latest issue (Vol. 34, pp. 24-26) with
great interest, I want to take up Patricia’s offer (in her editorial) of a letter to the editor, and assure your
readers that one statement by Patricia gives a wrong impression - it is not true that “many of the early
specimens that Linnaeus based his work on have been lost or sold, and very little is available for present
day study”. As one who has used this collection on two occasions, 1 can assure you that it remains largely
intact, if a little muddled, and lacking the “large specimens” that Dance (1967) reported sold by the
Linnaean Society. All tonnoidean species 1 had expected to have type material in the Linnaean Society’s
holdings are present there and, indeed, the only trouble has been that in some cases there seem to be too
many possible syntypes, and only those numbered by Linnaeus can be accepted as genuine. Their great
significance, of course, is that these specimens, along with the shells in drawings cited by Linnaeus as
illustrations of his species and, in some cases, further specimens in Uppsala, constitute the syntypes of
Linnaeus’ species, the name-bearing specimens that many common species are based on. It is very lucky
that this collection has been preserved, as very few of the early collections cited by Linnaeus from before
1758 can still be consulted. The only other two I am aware of are those of Adanson (1757, “Voyage au
Senegal”), which is still largely intact in the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris, and of
Gualtieri (1742, “Index testarum conchyliorum”), which belongs to the Department of Zoology, University
of Pisa. About two-thirds of it remains in the Certosa di Calci, a beautiful old monastery in the countryside
20 km out of Pisa.

The numbering of Linnaeus’ shells is an aspect not mentioned by Patricia. Most genuine Linnean syntypes
in London bear a black number (some faded now), inked directly on the shells, usually within the aperture
of the gastropods I have examined, traditionally supposed to have been written by Linnaeus (although I
think it is a little difficult to prove that he wrote them). They correspond to the relevant species number in
“Systema Naturae”. Most refer to the twelfth edition, but some refer to the tenth, and a few bear both
numbers. My one real difficulty has been with Cassis tuberosa (Linnaeus, 1758), for which Linnaeus did
not cite an illustration, and for which no syntype remains in London (apparently it was one of the “large
specimens” sold off earlier; Dance 1967). However, for this species two syntypes remain in Uppsala, and
staff of the Uppsala University Museum of Evolution have kindly supplied photos of these.

Genuine zoologists can arrange access to Linnaeus’ collection of historically important shells through the
curator, Kathy Way (Curator of Mollusca, Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London) and can
sit in comfort in the library of the Linnaean Society, in Burlington House, and examine the specimens at
leisure. It is also a great pleasure to see Linnaeus’ collection in its beautiful cabinets in the basement, with
suitably sized drawers for each type of animal and plant. I was particularly intrigued by the fish types,
which have lasted well using a very different preparation technique from modem ones; Linnaeus glued the
skin of one side of each fish to a sheet of paper. Most interesting of all to me was to see Linnaeus’ own
library of early, largely pre-Linnean books on botany and zoology, bound in vellum and labelled in the
master’s hand-writing. The opportunity probably exists there to resolve some of the mysteries of references
cited by Linnaeus, and still causing confusion today (e.g.. Boss 1988).

2

References:

Boss K. J. 1988. References to molluscan taxa introduced by Linnaeus in the Systema Naturae (1758,
1767). The Nautilus, 102: 115-122.

Dance, S. P. 1967. Report on the Linnean shell collection. Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of London,
178: 1-24.

Yours sincerely.

Alan Beu (via post)

GUIDE TO FINDING PREDATORY SHELLFISH IN THE WIDER
AUCKLAND REGION

Scott T Pilkington '' ^ and Dr Bryony J James

' Museums and Cultural Heritage Studies Programme, University of Auckland

^ Summer Research Student, Research Centre for Surface and Materials Science, University of Auckland
^ Director, Research Centre for Surface and Materials Science, University of Auckland
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland

When conducting bioarchaeological investigations and analysis of middens it periodically becomes
necessary to distinguish between holes that have been drilled in shellfish naturally (i.e. by predatory
shellfish) and those of anthropogenic origin (prehistoric, historic or modem). Much has been written on
the act of comparison (Cintra-Buenrostro et ah, 2005, Claassen, 1998, Clark and Wright, 2005, Dirrigl,
1995, Kent, 1988, Morrison and Hunt, 2007, Przywolnik, 2003, Sawyer et al., 2009, Schapira et ah, 2009)
but this relies on having a comparative collection of known origin to compare the unknown samples to.
The creation of a comparative collection is simple enough if you have access to unadulterated shells, a
cordless drill and prehistoric/historic drills such as Maori drill pumps, but the literature is vague and sparse
on the location of shells that have been burrowed into by marine predators. Initial investigations into how
to find such shells suggesting beachcombing until suitable shells were found, but given that New Zealand
has over 15,000 km of coastline, this would be a impractical so an alternative solution was sought, which
was to find where the predatory shellfish could be found, and look on beaches around there for shells with
holes in them.

This research question has initially tackled as part of a 2009-2010 summer research project in the Research
Centre for Surface and Materials Science (RCSMS) at the University of Auckland, which investigated how
surface morphology analytical techniques can be used in the assessment of archaeological samples and
evaluating the techniques available for their suitability with different sample types. Each of the samples
worked with were specifically chosen to test the limitations of the equipment being used. The techniques
available through RCSMS were a conventional (high-vacuum) Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM),
making replicas of the samples and then analysing them using conventional SEM, and lastly using the
Environmental (or low-vacuum) Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM). The three sample types chosen
were shell, bone and wood. As part of my research I will be conducted research on comparing
anthropogenic and natural holes in shellfish, different cut marks on pig bones, and more generalised
analysis of fragile wood. As previously discussed, there is a strong foundation in the academic literature
about the differences visible macroscopically and microscopically between anthropogenic and natural holes
in shellfish, so this research was designed specifically to test the limitations of the equipment being used.
As part of this research I needed to prepare shells that have been drilled into by humans (I used a modem
electric drill and a Maori pump drill as designed by Dante Bonica (Department of Maori Studies) for
Associate Professor Melinda Allen (Department of Anthropology), University of Auckland) and compare
these to shells burrowed into by predatory shellfish.

The table over summarises the research I have conducted in sourcing predatory shellfish. This was mostly
a search of the literature and the world-wide web more generally, although personal communication also
played an important part. After preparing the table, I visited the Muriwai (36°49’54”S, 174°25’29”E) and
BethelTs (36°53’51”S, 174°26’37”E) beaches of Northwest Auckland. I found very few shells at all at
Muriwai where only 3 of the 21 shell fragments collected had a hole in them, and all three looked like
damage caused by the rocky head.

4

I found particular luck at Bethell’s beach at the high tide mark. Apparently after a storm the beach is so
heavily laden with shells that have been bored into that you can collect them by just scooping your hands in
the pile of shells. I went a few days after bad weather and there were a lot half-buried in the sand all
around the beach. Of the 45 shells collected at Bethell’s beach, 15 contained holes or attempts at burrows,
most of which looked predatory in nature, mostly around the high-tide mark.

The following table was able to be established by the comparison and combination of the resources listed
below.

Common Name

Latin Name

Family

Range

Habitat

Resources

Dark rock shell

Haustrum

haustorium

Muricidae

North, South, Stew-
art & Chatham Is-
lands

Rocky ground,
shady areas

(Morley and Ander-
son, 2004:106) (Dell,
1965:28)

Oyster borer

Lepsiella scobina

Muricidae

North & Chatham
Islands

Rocky ground,
sheltered coasts,
tolerant of silt

(Morley and Ander-
son, 2004:107)
(Powell, 1976:pl. 21)
(Dell, 1965:28)

Octagonal murex

Muricopsis

octogonus

Muricidae

Northern North
Island, to Kapiti
and Mahia Penin-
sula

Rocky and sandy
shores. Can live on
rocks in muddy
situations on shel-
tered shores

(Morley and Ander-
son, 2004:103) (Dell,
1965:27)

Cheeseman’s

trophon

Paratrophon

cheesemani

Muricidae

North Island west
coast

Characteristic of
Auckland’s west
coast. Common
around intertidal
rocks.

(Morley and Ander-
son, 2004: 1 04)
(Penniket and Moon,
1970:52) (Bucknill,
1924:67-9)

Necklace shell /
moon shell /
Ngaere

Tanea zelandica

Naticidae

North, South, Stew-
art and Chatham
Islands

Sandy areas (deep
water?)

(Morley and Ander-
son, 2004:96) (Dell,
1965:22) (NIWA
(National Institute for
Water and Atmos-
pheric Research Ltd.
New Zealand), 2009,
OBIS, 2 0 0 9 )

(Parkinson, 1999:P1.
11)

Migrating moon
shell

Notocochlis
(Natica) migratoria

Naticidae

The North Island
north of Auckland

In sand on ocean
beaches in shallow
to deep water

(Parkinson, 1999:P1.
11)

Naticidae

Sand flats

(Powell, 1976:pl. 16,
21,44)

Muricidae

Sand flats, deep
water, rocky

ground, mud-flats,
rocky coasts

(Powell, 1976:pl. 16,
21) (Penniket and
Moon, 1970:50)
(Auckland Shell Club
(Conchology Section;
Auckland Museum
Institute), 2009)

Both families

Beaches outside the
inner harbour

Takapuna, Long
Bay, Eastern

Beach, Whatipu,
Piha, Awhitu Pen-
insula

(Walker, 2009)

h

5

Acknowledgements

Many thanks go to Melinda Allen (Department of Anthropology) for her advice and use of the pump drill,
to Rod Wallace (Department of Anthropology) for the use of the archaeology labs, to Bryony James
(RCSMS) for super\'ising this project, to Adele Jeffries for driving me out to the beaches, to John Lavas
(biological and marine sciences librarian) for suggesting the Auckland Shell Club and helping me weed
through the non-standard literature. This research was funded by a University of Auckland Summer
Research Scholarship and the Research Centre for Surface and Materials Science.

References cited

AUCKLAND SHELL CLUB (CONCHOLOGY SECTION; AUCKLAND MUSEUM INSTITUTE)
(2009) Register of Largest NZ Shells http: nz seashells.tripod.com RLNZS.xls. Auckland Shell
Club (Conchology Section; Auckland Museum Institute).

BUCKNILL, C. E. R. (1924) Sea Shells ofNe^v Zealand, Auckland. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd.
CINTRA-BUENROSTRO, C. E., ELESSA, K. & AVILA-SERRANO, G. (2005) Who Cares About a
Vanishing Clam? Trophic Importance of Mulinia coloradoensis Inferred from Predatory Damage.
Palaios, 20, 296-302.

CLAASSEN, C. (1998) Shells, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

CLARK. G. & WRIGHT, D. (2005) On The Periphery? Archaeological Investigations At Ngelong, Angaur
Island. Palau. Micronesica, 38, 67-91.

DELL, R. K. (1965) Native Shells, Wellington, A. H. & A. W. Reed.

DIRRIGL, F. (1995) Prehistoric Mahican subsistence: insights from the zooarchaeological analysis of the
Goldkrest site. Report submitted to archaeological research specialists. Referenced in: Claassen, C.,
Shells. 1998, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

KENT, B. W. (1988) Making dead oysters talk: techniques for analysing oysters from archaeological sites,
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, Maryland Historical Trust. Historic St. Mary's City.
MORLEY, M. S. & ANDERSON, I. A. (2004) A Photographic Guide to Seashells of New Zealand,
Auckland, NZ, New Holland.

MORRISON, A. E. & HUNT, T. L. (2007) Human Impacts on the Nearshore Environment: An
Archaeological Case Study from Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science, 61, 325-345.

NIWA (NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR WATER AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH LTD. NEW
ZEALAND) (2009) New Zealand and the South West Pacific Regional OBIS Node Marine Biodata
Information System (MBIS) http: vwvw.iobis.org OBISWEB ObisControllerServlet?
searchCategorv-

AdvancedSearchSer\let&genus=Tanea<S:species=zelandica&Subspecies=&sciname=Tanea%

20zelandica<b>&comName=null&organismTvpe=a%

20gastropod&nameVerifiedBv'=&nameAttributionUrl=. OBIS (Ocean Biogeographic Information
System). Census of Marine Life: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

OBIS (2009) OBIS - Ocean Biogeographic Information System http: wvw.iobis.org OBISWEB OBlS.jsp.

Census of Marine Life. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

PARKINSON, B. (1999) Common Seashells of New Zealand, Auckland, Reed Publishing.

PENNIKET, J. R. & MOON, G. J. H. (1970) New Zealand Seashells in Colour, Wellington, NZ, Reed.
POWELL, A. W. B. (1976) Shells of New Zealand, Christchurch, Whitcoulls Publishers.

PRZYWOLNIK. K. (2003) Shell artefacts from northern Cape Range Peninsula, northwest Western
NusWaWdi. Australian Archaeology, 56, 12-21.

SAWTER, J. A., ZUSCHIN, M., RIEDEL, B. & STACHOWITSCH, M. (2009) Predator-prey interactions
from in situ time-lapse observ'ations of a sublittoral mussel bed in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern
Adriatic). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 371, 10-19.

SCHAPIRA, D., MONTANO, I. A. & ANTCZAK. A. P., JUAN M. (2009) Using shell middens to assess
effects of fishing on queen conch (Strombus gigas) population in Los Roques Archipelago National
Park, Venezuela. Marine Biology, 156, 787-795.

WALKER. M. (2009) Leaving President of the Auckland Shell Club (Conchology Section; Auckland
Museum Institute). Personal Communication with author. Auckland.

6

MOLLUSCA DREDGED FROM PORT PEGASUS, STEWART ISLAND

Alan G Beu and Bruce Hayward

89 mollusc species (7 chitons, 43 bivalves, 38 gastropods, 1 seaphopod) are recorded here from small
sample dredgings (0-45 m depth) in Port Pegasus, southeastern Stewart Island.

Introduction

Back in the summer of 1989, one of us (BWH) was lucky enough to be among five people who camped at
Camp Cove in Port Pegasus, Stewart Island, for 2 weeks (24 Jan-9 Feb) to carry out natural history studies
and collections. The trip was organised by Graham Hardy, at the time a fish expert at the National
Museum in Wellington. The other three were diving buddies, also interested in fish studies - Brett
Stephenson (Auckland Museum), his son Eddie Stephenson, and Clare Ward (a Northland doctor). We
hired a fishing boat from Bluff to take us there and back and also hired a 4 m aluminium parker craft and
unreliable outboard motor, just large enough to transport four scuba divers and their gear. It was too cold
for the divers to be in the water for more than a couple of hours each day and so in between I would utilise
the boat and a helper to take dredge samples of bottom sediment from throughout Port Pegasus. I
remember the motor broke down on about the second day and for two days I used the oars to pull the
dredge along, until a replacement 5 h.p. motor was delivered by another passing fisherman. While the
other four were out diving I wandered the surrounding forested hills, enjoyed the scenery and collected
lichens (Hayward and Lumbsch, 1992).

The dredge was a small, hand-hauled, 2-litre capacity dredge that sampled the seafloor to a depth of 60-100
mm. A total of 60 samples were taken between 0 and 45 m water depth. A handful of sediment was kept
and later analysed for the microscopic foraminiferal composition (Hayward et al., 1994) and the remainder
was passed over a 2 mm sieve and the molluses (dead and live) were donated to AGB, who has recently
identified them and lodged them in the GNS Science collections. The list includes a few rare or unusual
species and to our knowledge is the first (albeit incomplete) published list of Mollusca from this remote
southeastern comer of Stewart Island, and so we thought we should place the records on paper here in
Poirieria.

Interesting Records

Most of the molluscs are those expected in this southern, cool-water location, and the fauna is very similar
to that in Paterson Inlet, further north on Stewart Island - so, for instance, Buccinulum pertinax (von
Martens) and Cominella (Eucominia) nassoides (Reeve) replace the more familiar Buccinulum and
Cominella species seen further north around mainland New Zealand, and a few typical, coarsely seulptured
specimens of Stiracolpus symmetricus (Hutton) were dredged alive in 39 m. The list reads much like
Powell’s (1939) one, although of eourse much smaller, and Powell (1939) did not inelude Aoteadrillia
wanganuiensis. This and a few of the other reeords call for comment.

Felaniella (Zemysia) rakiura (Powell) (1939, p. 224, text-fig. d, e), described from Ringaringa Beach,
Stewart Island, apparently is moderately common in Port Pegasus (collected at Stn 8, 18 m, 1 live, GNS
RM6287; Stn 27, 17 m, 1 live, RM6312; Stn 43, 3m, 1 1 live, RM6326; and Stn 57, 40 m, 1 live, RM6342).
It has a more elongate shape and a more anteriorly placed umbo than the common species F. zelandica
(Gray), and reaches a much smaller maximum size - up to 10.5 mm rather than e. 30 mm (largest 7.7 mm
long in the present material).

7

These specimens do not show such a strongly subrectangular shape, caused by a straightened ventral
margin, as was illustrated by Powell (1939, text-fig. d, e) for the type material, but the shape is clearly
more elongate and less obviously circular than in other New Zealand ungulinids. Powell (1939)
commented that “Superficially the species has a striking resemblance to ... Kellia suborbicularis
[Montagu]”, but it is distinguished easily by its more solid, less translucent shell, the presence of very weak
commarginal ridges rather than a completely smooth surface, and its umbones being much less inflated
than in K. suborbicularis.

Struthiolaria papulosa (Martyn) is interesting because both a “northern-looking” nodulose shell and a
shell of the more usual Stewart Island smooth form were dredged empty. All shells we have seen

from northern Stewart Island are the smooth “g/go^” form, and Powell (1939, p. 234) recommended the
recognition of the apparently geographically constant, clinally varying forms as subspecies, S. papulosa
“typical” (Powell designated Wellington as the type locality) and S. papulosa gigas G. B. Sowerby II,
1842. These forms have not been recognised with formal names by most later authors, as they seemed to
intergrade evenly (that is, they form a dine) and do not have hard-and-fast geographical boundaries.
However, the occurrence of a strongly nodulose specimen, resembling Wellington shells, at Port Pegasus
suggests that the different forms have a largely ecological explanation, still more strongly indicating that
the two forms are not subspecies.

Cabestana spengleri (Perry). The single moderate-sized adult empty shell is the southernmost record we
are aware of from New Zealand.

Cominella (Eucominia) otagoemis (Finlay) was collected as several fresh, clean, empty shells, mostly in
the same samples as C. nassoides. These small, sharply and prominently sculptured shells of the group
formerly included in Zephos Finlay, 1926 are very distinctive. Most specimens we have seen are from Port
Pegasus.

Aoteadrillia wanganuiemis (Hutton) is a particularly important record from Port Pegasus, as although this
small “turrid” is abundant over a large depth range around most of mainland New Zealand, there are no
records in the enormous Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa collections from the “extremities”
of New Zealand - from the southernmost South Island, Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, or the North
Island north of the central Bay of Plenty. The record from Port Pegasus (1 empty shell, GNS RM6061)
suggests that this species is rare near the ends of its range rather than completely absent.

Mollusca Dredged from Port Pegasus

Total list of shells eollected by dredging at Port Pegasus by Bruce Hayward, February 1989, if found living
the station number(s) and depth (range) are given. If only found dead, no other data is given.

Polvplacophora

^ Callochiton empleurus (Hutton) Stn. 39, 37 m
Eudoxochiton nobilis (Gray), valve
Ischnochiton circumvallatus (Reeve) Stn. 13, 1.5 m
Leptochiton fmlay’i (Ashby) Stn. 53, 25 m
Leptochiton inquinatus (Reeve) Stn. 1, 20 m
Notoplax mariae (Thiele)

Notoplax violacea (Quoy & Gaimard)

Bivalvia

Solemya (Zesolemya) parkinsoni E. A. Smith Stn. 8, 18 m
Pronucula Ibollonsi Powell Stns 15, 43, 57, 0.5-40 m
Saccella macn'elli Beu Stns 56, 57, 39-40 m
Barbatia novaezelandiae (Smith)

Glycymeris (dycymerula) modesta (Angas) Stn. 41, 27 m
Aulacomya maoriana (Iredale)

Musculus impactus (Herrmann)

Pecten novaezelandiae Reeve, juvenile
Talochlamys gemmulata (Reeve)

Talochlamys zelandiae (Gray)

Mesopeplum convexum (Quoy & Gaimard)

Ostrea chilensis Philippi in Kiister
Limatula suteri (Dali) Sms 25, 59, 25-38 m
Divalucina cumingii (A. Adams & Angas)

Thyasira peregrina (Iredale)

Maorithyas marama Fleming Stn. 27,17 m

Felaniella (Zemysia) rakiura (Powell) Sms 8, 27, 43, 57, 3-40 m

Felaniella (Zemysia) zelandica (Gray)

Kellia cycladiformis (Deshayes)

Cyamiomactra problematica Bernard Sm. 43, 3 m
Scintillona zelandica (Odhner) Sms 8, 1 8, 1 8-20 m
Neolepton antipodum (Filhol) Sms 13, 43, 1.5-3 m
Cardita aoteana Finlay
Purpurocardia purpura ta (Deshayes)

Pleuromeris zelandica (Deshayes)

Pratulum pulchellum (Gray)

Leptomya retiaria (Hutton) Sm. 8, 18, 24, 27, 44, 51, 52, 53, 6-30 m
Moerella huttoni (Smith) Sms 25, 33, 51, 6-29 m
Pseudarcopagia disculus (Deshayes)

Macomona Uliana (Iredale) Stn. 1 5, 0.5 m
Gari (Psammobia) lineolata (Gray)

Gari (Gobraeus) stangeri (Gray)

Ascitellina urinatoria (Suter) Stn. 39, 43, 3-37 m
Soletellina nitida (Gray)

Soletellina siliquens Willan Stn. 24, 6 m
Scalpomactra scalpellum (Reeve) Stn. 30, 45 m
Austrovenus stutchbury) (Wood), juveniles
Ruditapes largillierti (Philippi) Stn. 34, 4 m
Tawera spissa (Deshayes) Sms 18, 26, 48, 53, 3-26 m

9

NotocaUista (Striacallista) multistriata (G. B. Sowerby II) Stns 8, 25, 18-25 m
Carycorbula zelandica (Quoy & Gaimard) Stn. 41, 27 m
Thracia (Odoncineta) vitrea (Hutton) Stn. 25, 25 m
Cuspidal ia trailli (Hutton)

Gastropoda

Notoacmea helmsi (E. A. Smith) Stn. 14, 0.5 m
Cellana ornata (Dillwyn)

Haliotis australis Gmelin
Monodilepas monilifera (Hutton)

Emargimda striatula (Quoy & Gaimard)

Tugali suteri (Thiele)

Trochus (Coelotrochus) tiaratus (Quoy & Gaimard)

Diloma aethiops (Gmelin)

Antisolarium egenum (Gould)

Thoristella chathamensis (Hutton)

Micrelenchus (Plumbelenchus) artizona (A. Adams) Stns 1, 26, 34, 4-26 m
Modelia granosa (Martyn)

Astraea heliotropium (Martyn)

Argalista fluctuata (Hutton)

Merelina sp.

Pisinna sp.

Austrolittorina cincta (Quoy & Gaimard)

Maoricolpus roseus (Quoy & Gaimard) Sms 13, 24, 1.5-6 m
Stiracolpus symmetricus (Hutton) Sm. 56, 39 m
Maoriciypta sodalis Marshall, living inside dead Struthiolaria
Sigapatella novaezelandiae Lesson
Sigapatella tenuis (Gray)

Struthiolaria papulosa (Martyn), both nodulose and '"gigas" forms
Tanea zelandica (Quoy & Gaimard) Stn. 25, 25 m
Cabestana spengleri (Perry)

Zeatrophon pumilus (Suter)

Xymene plebeius (Hutton) Sm. 15, 0.5 m
Buccinulum pertinax (von Martens)

Coininella (Eucominia) nassoides (Reeve) St. 41, 27 m
Cominella (Eucominia) otagoensis (Finlay)

Paxula transitans (Murdoch) Sm. 13, 1.5 m
Austromitra i-ubiginosa (Hutton)

Aoteadrillia wanganuiensis (Hutton)

Splendrillia sp.

Neoguraleus sp., fine sculpmre, inflated, aff. N. lyallensis (Murdoch) Sm. 24, 6 m
Agatha georgiana (Hutton) Stn. 56, 39 m
Amphibola crenata (Gmelin)

Siphonaria sp.

Scaphopoda

Fissidentalium zelandicwn (G. B. Sowerby 11) Stn. 56, 39 m

References

Hayward, B.W., Lumbsch, H.T. 1992. Lichens of south-east Stewart Island, New Zealand. New Zealand
Natural Sciences 19: 69-78.

Hayward, B.W.. Hollis, C.J.. Grenfell, H.R. 1994. Foraminiferal associations in Port Pegasus, Stewart
Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 28: 69-95.
Powell, A.W.B., 1939. The Mollusca of Stewart Island. Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 2\
211-238.

10

ASPECTS OF ABALONE AQUACULTURE AND POLYCULTURE

Michael K Eagle

The abalone mollusc is a seafood delicacy around the world.

Declining wild stocks of the abalone Haliotis Linnaeus, 1758
due to natural disease, over-fishing, and poaching has resulted
in the global market being undersupplied. Abalone are
gregarious gastropod herbivores that feed on marine algae and
are confined to a rocky or coral shoreline or offshore reef
There they singly graze on substrates or cluster in crevices for
shelter in the sub-littoral zone (see: Morton 2004). There are
three modem species of abalone indigenous to New Zealand, of varying size {Haliotis (Paua) iris Martyn,
1784 (Fig.l); H. (Padollus) australis Gmelin, 1791; and H. {Paua) virginea Gmelin, 1791 (see: Powell
1979; Eagle 2002), comparable to the same number of indigenous species in Thailand: H. {H.) asinina
Linnaeus, 1758; H. ovina Gmelin, 1791; and H. varia Linnaeus, 1758. Government funded fisheries
research programs in both countries are directed at developing local and export markets to contribute to the
gross national product. The National Institute for Water and Atmospherics (NIWA) in New Zealand have
several research facilities dedicated to cultivating H. iris, at Bream Bay, near Whangarei and at Mahanga
Bay, Wellington. Unlike New Zealand where there is constant local demand, only a limited local market
for abalone exists in Thailand. Regardless of this, the Department of Fisheries in Thailand (DOFT) is
progressively expanding its research program concentrating especially on H. asinina, to eventually satisfy a
potential strong demand for this meat in neighbouring Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and
Malaysia. The Donkey’s Ear Abalone, H. (H.) asinina, is a tropical species which genetically possesses a
spectacular growth rate, exhibits environmental tolerance as well as being a gastronomic delight. It is
distributed widely about coastal rocky and coral reef zones in Southeast Asia and the South West Pacific,
including northern Australia. Coincidently marine research centres in the Philippines and Australia have
also been concentrating on H. {H.) asinina as a potential seafood product.

Figure 1. New Zealand cultured abalone Haliotis (Paua) iris (after Suter 1913)

The New Zealand black-footed abalone Haliotis {Paua) iris (Fig. 1), known commonly as the subgenus

Paua Fleming, 1952 is found naturally “ in clear water coastal situations, under boulders, rock ledges,

and in crevices and caverns, at and below low tide” (Powell 1979: 36). It is commercially and
recreationally fished. Aquaculture trials concerned with farming paua were first conducted in New Zealand
during the 1980’s mainly due to the mollusc’s excellent potential for commercial development including
export opportunities in sustainable markets with high fiscal returns (currently more than $NZ60 kilogram).
However, even with high-performing selected brood-stocks (taken initially from the wild, and later
manipulated genetically for improved breeding), cultured paua exhibit slow growth. It can take over four
years for cultured H. {P.) iris to reach current market size of 84-100 mm in length, a considerable time
when considering economic viability.

11

Based on other fisheries studies, NIWA staff at the Bream Bay Aquaculture Park estimate that improved
gro'wlh (which can reduce harvest time) can be 10-20% per generation until optimum. Improved growth
may also provide for larger individuals, reducing numbers required to fill customer’s orders. The process
of artificial spawning has also been refined to accommodate better fecundity. Haliotis (//.) iris cultured in a
recirculation system designed to control not only water temperature but also water quality, benefit from a
process that more thoroughly cleanses the small volumes of new water required each day than is possible in
a flow-through system; H.{P.) iris grows 50% faster than those held in a flow-through system (Symonds &
Heath 2008).

Polyculture has been practised in Asia for hundreds of years. However, land-based polyculture of haliotids
and holothurians in recirculation tanks is a recent innovation. Polyculture involves growing two or more
complimentary species together in a single sustainable system, whereas aquaculture involves propagation
and rearing of a single aquatic species. Polyculture aims to enhance the productivity of several species by
efficient use of ecological resources; the productivity and waste of a primary cultured species sustains
secondary species resulting in increased economic benefit. In New Zealand NIWA has established a pilot
system at their Plimmerton, Mahanga Bay aquaculture facility in Wellington. There, H. {P.) iris is targeted
as the primary crop, with secondary product filter-feeding invertebrates variously trialled; the bivalves
Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) (Pacific oyster); MytiJus galloprovinciaUs Lamarck, 1819 (blue
mussel), and the sea-cucumber Anstralostichopus mollis (Hutton, 1872) (Fig. 2). All three have
commercial markets and would monetarily offset both capital and operating costs of culturing H. (P.) iris.
Unfortunately, in this trial, the oysters suffered thinning, brittle shells and high mortality, and have been
replaced by the more resilient, but not as valuable mussel (Miller 2007).

Two key factors which affect the environmental sustainability of culturing abalone and need to be closely
monitored are; oxygen and pH levels. Land-based polyculture requires constant removal of suspended
solids, faecal material, and excess nitrogen, with monitoring of particulate size, pH., ammonium content,
dissolved oxygen, temperature and salinity. It is imperative that water movement suspends organic wastes,
initiating self-cleaning and reducing maintenance labour. Agitated water is circulated through tanks
containing filter-feeding bivalves or holothurians, before passing to settling pans, and then protein
skimmers for final removal of residual organic detritus and bacteria. Tanks of seaweed filter the water next
to remove excess nitrogen, particularly ammonium, before returning to the abalone tanks.

Optimum growing conditions for juvenile H. {P.) iris (20-30 mm) are in moderately flowing water between
18-20°C and pH 7. 8-8. 2. At the NIWA facility H.{P.) iris are fed an artificial diet supplemented with the
red seaweed Porphyra virididentata and P. cinnamomea local to the Wellington region. Reasonably large
numbers of the sea-cucumber Anstralostichopus mollis (135) can potentially remove the entire organic
waste produced by 125 kilograms of H. (P.) iris. However, it appears that this species of sea-cucumber can
only grow on the waste of H. [P.) iris fed on fresh algae or kelp flakes, not the artificial diet currently
utilised by the New Zealand abalone aquaculture industry (Miller 2007).

Figure 2. New Zealand BQche-dQ-mQX Australostichopus mollis.

12

Artificial breeding of the H. (//.) asinina species was first achieved at the DOFT Eastern Marine Fisheries
Development Centre, Thailand in 1989 from wild stock (3.60-9.35 cm shell length) gathered from reefs'
around Samet Island in the eastern sector of the Gulf of Thailand. Monitored culture trials and limited
harvesting has occurred since then. Suspended plastic plates (30 cm sq.) separated with a regular interval of
2 cm between them has proven efficient in capturing H. (//.) asinina spat after induced spawning. Haliotis
(H.) asinina reared in through-flowing holding tanks and fed on the diatom Nitzschia sp. (which propagates
on the surface of the plate collectors), nurture the mollusc until about two and a half months of age when
additional collectors are introduced into holding tanks to increase living space. At about five months of
age the collectors are replaced with artificial shelters under which the young abalone tend to congregate
and the marine algae Gracilaria salicornia is fed to them. Haliotis (//.) asinina reach 42.7 mm. in mean
shell length in one year, approximately one third of the time taken for H. (H.) iris to reach a similar size;
probably the fastest early growth rate recorded among abalone species. Only H. diversicolor Reeve, 1 846
from the S.W. Pacific at one year of age is nearly comparable in growth, whereas growth rates in mean
shell length of other haliotids are (mm); H. iris from Wellington, New Zealand 19.1; H, corrugata Wood,
1828 from Baja, California 18.3; H. fulgens Philippi, 1845 from Baja, California 29.7; H. rufescens
Swainson, 1822 from Baja, California 15.6; and H. sorenseni Bartsch, 1940 from Monterey,
California. 13.4. Survival rate of H. asinina covering a growth period of one month to one year is about
93% (Singhagraiwan & Sasaki 1991). Australian specimens of H. asinina have been the subject of a DNA
investigation into the molecular mechanisms that control development, growth, reproduction and shell
formation (Jackson & Degnan 2006).

At the Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo,
Philippines evaluation of the growth rate of H. (H.) asinina fed three different diets for four months
resulted in varied rates of growth at different ages. H. asinina juveniles fed locally sourced red alga
Gracilariopsis heteroclada. combined with an artificial diet grew faster in both total body weight and mean
shell length than those fed Kappaphycus alvarezii, another locally sourced red algae.

Figure 3. Asian and Australian cultured Haliotis (Haliotis) asinina (after Van Nostrand 1956).

Juvenile H. (H.) asinina fed only an artificial diet produced more weight than those fed G. heteroclada for
the first 90 days, but abalone fed G. heteroclada grew faster from Day 105 onwards. In terms of mean
shell length, the artificial diet produced faster growth rates than G. heteroclada for the first 75 days but
from Day 90 onwards, faster growth rates were observed in juveniles fed G. heteroclada. Reductions in
daily growth rates of juveniles during the latter phase of the growth trial were attributed to energy being
utilised for gonad development. G. heteroclada promoted high growth rates over a long-term period (360
days) and is considered to be best suited for abalone land-based farming in the Philippines (Capinpin &
Corre 1996).

Abalone reared in land-based aquaculture facilities require much better water quality and are less adaptable
to temperature fluctuation than many marine fish. Haliotid species generally are not efficient at pumping
water over their gills. Consequently, even slightly lowered oxygen levels in the water column reduce
growth rates in the mollusc. The metabolism of the animal produces carbon dioxide that, when released by
the abalone dissolves in seawater forming acids that lower the pH, acidifying the water column. Enough
acid will eventually dissolve the shells of abalone so that an alkaline substance (such as baking soda) must
be added to aquaculture tanks to counteract the effect of carbon dioxide on them and keep pH levels in a
manageable, but inexpensive equilibrium. Ultimately, any abalone culture project must be able to control
disease and natural pathogens when growing product and produce a constant supply of premium-grade
specimens that grow quickly to market size near to or within reach of that market.

13

Haliotis (H) asinina has significant potential as a target species for land-based polyculture in Thailand,
Australia, and the Philippines when combined with raising local sea-cucumbers (e.g. Holothuria scabra
Jaeger, 1833 from Thailand, better known as ‘Beche de mer’ which is used in the production of an Asian
dish named ‘trepang’) As the world’s oceans warm and seas become more acid with increasing quantities
of dissolved carbon, mollusc farming will provide an alternative fishery for marine meat and if required, a
hatchery for reseeding the wild.

References

CAPINPIN JR E. C. & CORRE K. G. 1996: Growth rate of the Philippine abalone, Haliotis asinina fed an
artificial diet and macroalgae. Aquaculture 144(1-3): 81-99.

EAGLE M.K. 2002: Review of fossil Haliotidae (Gastropoda) from New Zealand with descriptions of
early Miocene species. Records of the Auckland Museum 39: 21-43.

JACKSON, D. J. & BERNARD M. D. 2006: Expressed sequence tag analysis of genes expressed during
development of the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina. Journal of Shellfish Research 25(1):225-231.

MILLER, S. 2007: Marine Aquaculture, land-based polyculture for coastal Maori. Water and Atmosphere
15(l):22-23.

MORTON, J. 2004: Sea shore ecology of New Zealand and the Pacific. Bateman: 504p.

POWELL, A.W.B. 1979: New Zealand Mollusca. Collins: 500p

SINGHAGRAIWAN, T. & SASAKI, S. 1991: Breeding and early development of the donkey’ ear abalone
{Haliotis asinina Linne). Thailand Marine Fishing Research Bulletin 2: 83-94.

SYMONDS, J. & HEATH, P. 2008: Getting picky with paua: selective breeding to improve productivity.
Water and Atmosphere 1 6( 1 ): 20-2 1 .

14

HINEA BRASILIANA ALIVE AND WELL AT NORTH CAPE

I Bruce W Hayw'ard and Margaret S Morley

Introduction

Hinea brasiliana is a distinctive yellow-brown and white gastropod that lives around mid-high tide mark
on rocky and boulder shores. It often seeks the shade of boulders and cracks during the heat of the day.

' Powell (1979) indicates that it is abundant on the shores of New South Wales, and the Lord Howe and
Kermadec Islands. He also records that prior to 1968 it was only known from rare specimens washed up
on Northland beaches, but in that year a thriving population was found at the end of Rangiawhia Peninsula.
On that basis it has been included in the list of native Molluscs of New Zealand.

Our recent enquiries to the Auckland Museum and Te Papa Museum and a circular request in the monthly
j newsletter of the Auckland Shell Club suggests that this species has not been collected along the mainland
New Zealand coast since 1968, although it was recorded in abundance on the Moturoa Islands, off
Rangiawhia Peninsula in 1976 by Grace and Puch (1977). Our enquiries turned up several additional
^ unpublished records from specimens in the museum collections. In this note we report that another
I; population of Hinea brasiliana is alive and well at North Cape and has been there continuously since it was
|j discovered by one of us (BWH) in May 1967 (Chapman, 1967).

I

I Family Planaxidae

Hinea brasiliana (Lamarck, 1822) Figs 1-2

15

Description

Shell solid, whorls slightly convex, smooth or with weak spiral grooves. Base with several stronger spiral
grooves. Aperture narrow, constricted by callus; columella heavily calloused. Outer lip thin at edge,
greatly thickened internally, with weak lirae on thickening. In the specimens examined these lirae
(dentition) inside the outer lip of the aperture varied in strength. Anterior canal wide, posterior canal
narrow. Colour white internally; the external of the spire on fresh specimens is purplish-grey, fading to
white on the body whorl, with thick yellowish brown periostracum, partly eroded from spire in live shells
and rapidly lost in dead shells. The animal is creamy white and can retreat well within the aperture.
Length 20 mm (www.seashellsofnsw.org.au). In live taken specimens, the dark tan operculum was
serrated (Fig. 1) matching the lirae inside the outer lip of the aperture to seal against drying during long
periods out of the tide. This ability to resist drying-out was demonstrated by one specimen that was still
living after 1 8 days out of water.

This is one of the few marine gastropods recorded to exhibit bioluminescence. Ponder (1988) found that
specimens kept in a container in a dark room emitted a bright blue-white light for up to a minute when
disturbed.

'The species is gregarious and occurs in discrete populations among rocks and rubble in the midlittoral
zone along exposed rocky, high energy coastlines. Populations usually live in somewhat protected areas
not in direct contact with large waves. Individuals are found in clusters under rocks, in moist, dark places
during low tide, but become very active and rapidly disperse when submerged by ineoming
tides" (Houbrick, 1987).

Regional distribution: East Australia from South Queensland to South Australia, Lord Howe L, Norfolk L,
Kermadec Is and east Northland, New Zealand.

Fig. 2 Specimens of Hinea hrasiliana from North Cape.

Records from mainland New Zealand and Chatham Island

' 1. Chatham I. (collector unknown, pre 1992), AK 138388 (1 specimen).

I 2. Little Barrier I. (Webster, c. 1908) AKl 26076 (1 specimen).

i, 3. Bland Bay (date & collector unknown), Peter Poortman collection (3 specimens)

I 4. Bay of Islands (recorded in Suter, 1913).

{ 5. Whangaroa Harbour (W. La Roche, 1924), AKl 38389 (1 specimen).

I 6. Rangiawhia Peninsula (= Karikari Peninsula):

i a. Dec 1968, bay opposite Moturoa Is (collected by Michael Spencer), Te Papa M.084190 (1 specimen),
I AK138387 (3 specimens).

I b. pre 1970, Moturoa Is group (collected by Peter Jamieson), Te Papa M.081582 (1 specimen),
i c. May 1976, Moturoa Is group. Whale I. (recorded by Grace and Puch, 1977, p.61) (no specimens),
j d. Aug 1985, Rangiawhia (collector unknown), Peter Poortman collection (9 specimens).

I e. Sep 1985, Northland (collector unknown, specific locality unknown), Peter Portman collection (2
. specimens).

I 7. North Cape (Chapman, 1967):

i a. May 1967 (recorded by BWH and Kings College Field Club, Chapman 1967), (no specimens).

I b. Dec 1983 (collected by F.J. Brook and BWH) F.J. Brook collection.

I c. Oct 2009 (collected by A. Loughnan) Auckland Museum collection AKl 19040 (3 specimens).
f d. Spirits Bay beach washup (unknown collector or date) Te Papa M. 1 1 78 1 9 ( 1 specimen)

' This specimen may have been derived from the North Cape population or a similar remote habitat further
{! along the coast towards Spirits Bay.

I

I'

Fig. 3 Localities where Hinea brasiliana has been recorded from northern New Zealand.

17

North Cape locality

The North Cape locality is among high tidal cobbles near the top of the boulder beach that faces north
extending from North Cape Island westwards towards Kerr Cliffs. Access is difficult. By land (as we did
in 1967) now requires a Department of Conservation permit to pass through North Cape Scientific reserve
and clamber down the cliffs. By sea (as we did in 1983), the easiest landing is on the often sheltered
boulder beach on the south side of North Cape Island. The easiest and most expensive method is by
helicopter (as was done in 2009).

Conclusions

Hinea brasiliana lives in Powell’s Aupourian and Kermadecian biogeographical provinces and its regional
distribution is clearly warm subtropical Southwest Pacific. One specimen has been recorded from Powell’s
Moriorian (Chatham Island) province, but there is no evidence that this species is living and breeding there
today. It would appear that the species has two thriving populations along the coast of northeast Northland
- one on the Moturoa Islands and adjacent tip of Rangiawhia Peninsula and the other at North Cape. The
Moturoa-Rangiawhia population has not been reported upon for 34 years but we assume that it is still
surviving. Attempts by Heather Smith to reach the Rangiawhia locality in Dec 2009 were thwarted by
unfriendly land owners. Both the North Cape and Moturoa-Rangiawhia localities are on the ends of
peninsulas that project into the path of eddies of the warm East Auckland Current and this probably makes
them more suitable for this warmth-loving gastropod to survive and breed. At the Moturoa Islands for
example there are also thriving colonies of the warm-water vermetid gastropod Novastoa (Grace and Puch,
1977) which only occurs at a few localities exposed to the warm eddies along the Northland east coast.

We speculate that the rare records early last century from Whangaroa, Bay of Islands, Bland Bay, Little
Barrier I. and even Chatham I. were of specimens that were dispersed as larva by the East Auckland
Current and had successfully colonised these downcurrent places but had been unable to establish
sustainable breeding populations.

Acknowledgments

We thank Abi Loughnan for looking for and collecting three specimens from the locality described to her
by BWH in 2009. We acknowledge the help of Fred Brook, Bruce Marshall, Peter Poortman and Heather
Smith in providing information of Hinea brasiliana specimens in the collections in their care.

References

Chapman, P.J. 1967 Shells at North Cape. RokiRoki 3: 42.

Houbrick, R.S. 1987 Anatomy, reproductive biology and phylogeny of the Planaxidae (Cerithiacea:
Prosobranchia). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No.445, 57 pp.

Ponder, W.F. 1988 Bioluminescence in Hinea braziliana (Lamarck) (Gastropoda: Planaxidae). Journal of
Molluscan Studies 54: 361.

Powell, A.W.B. 1979 New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, 500 pp.

Suter, H. 1913 Manual of New Zealand Mollusca, with Atlas of plates. Government Printer, Wellington,

1120 pp.

18

HAURAKI MARINE PARK PROFILES IN BRIEF

Margaret S Morley

This information was prepared to a brief from the New Zealand Herald for 80 words per section
regarding the Hauraki Marine Park supplements (published March 1, 3, and 4 2010).

Whangateau Cockles (information Dr Roger Grace)

Locals first caught the malodorous whiffs of trouble in January 2009. The
vast intertidal sand flats of Whangateau Harbour were home to some 360
million cockles, over 80% were dying, their empty shells lying thick on the
surface.

The hot summer sun during low spring tides around midday caused the
cockles to overheat. In this weakened state two organisms, a parasite and a
I bacterium quickly multiplied causing the cockle deaths.

Urgent closure of the beds was needed to allow the survivors to recover. However, legal processes
> prevented the Ministry of Fisheries closing the beds before February 2010, too late for the peak holiday
; harvesting. The concerned Whangateau Harbourcare Group consulted with the Ministry, Auckland
Regional Authority and Rodney District Council who all supported an immediate voluntary ban. The
! Group put up 40 signs around the harbour. Although locals appreciate the seriousness of the threat to
future harvesting and respect the ban, day visitors often selfishly demand their right to collect. Some signs
have even been vandalised.

The cockles need time out to recover, please respect the voluntary ban. The Ministry’s three year ban will
hopefully be in place by February 2010 with options for extension.

Grey side-gilled sea slug Pleurobranchaea maculata

There was much publicity when dogs started dying in the Hauraki Gulf in July 2009.

A grey side-gilled sea slug in dog vomit provided a clue. Auckland Regional Council
sent specimens to Cawthron Institute, Nelson to identify the poison. It was
tetrodotoxin (ttx), which paralyses respiratory muscles. Eight dogs have died, more
vomited and recovered with prompt treatment.

Ttx is present in Japanese and Pacific puffer fish, but this is the first time it has been
identified in New Zealand. A sea slug collected in 2007 by the Auckland Museum
tested positive for ttx. This sobering thought means ttx is now present in New Zealand
and is not just a one-off event . Cawthron found that spawn and larva of sea slugs put in tanks also tested
positive, thus passing the potential for ttx to the next generation. Ttx was also found in a specimen from
Nelson.

Auckland Regional Council has put up small notices on affected beaches. The poison has to be ingested
but a small amount can be lethal, dogs have died within an hour of eating a sea slug. The toxin is present
not only internally but also on the slug surface so if handled, could be ingested with food. All parents
know 2-3 year olds put everything in their mouth so watch your toddler on all beaches and wash
everyone’s hands before your picnic.

19

Povell Survey

Hayward. B,W, et al. 1997 Faunal changes in Waitemata Harbour sediments,

1930s- 1990. Journal Royal Society of New Zealand 27; 1-20.

In 1997 a team of scientists from Auckland War Memorial Museum led by
Dr Bruce Hayward published a dredge sur\ ey of the Waitemata Harbour to
compare with a similar one done in the 1930s by Dr Pow^ell. The main
species sieved, identified and counted were molluscs, (shellfish) and
echinoderms e.g. sea stars.

The principal changes were 14 common marine snails e.g. olive shell, had
disappeared or become rare; reduction of previously abundant turret shells in
the Rangitoto channel; and a bed of large horse mussels living north-east of
North Head. Three exotic bivalves had arrived since the 1930s, a file shell,

Theora lubrica, a 7 mm, fragile shell, and the Asian mussel. The effects of
introductions are difficult to predict, but are not entirely negative e.g. Theora
lubrica provides a major food source for fish and ducks are fond of Asian
mussels.

The exact causes of these changes are not w'ell understood. Some may be
natural, but many are attributable to human activities associated with New Zealand’s largest city, these
include tributyl tin poisoning (previously in antifouling paint), sewage outfalls, increased sediment, fresh
w'ater run-off, pollutants, ballast w'ater and dredging.

If a third survey was done today it would also require years of study and would, no doubt, reveal further
changes.

Omaru Creek, Tamaki Estuary siltation pond

(Information Colin Percy- Tamaki Estuary Protection Society and Chris Barfoot - Tamaki Estuary Steering
Committee).

The health of the Hauraki Gulf depends on its many parts. The state of each creek that runs to the sea may
either enhance or pollute.

Omaru Creek was seriously polluted, it drains to the Tamaki Estuary from its catchment in Glen Innes.
The silt w^as contaminated w ith heavy metals, w'hich stressed cockles and pipi reducing their adult size and
ability to reproduce. Since bivalves improve water quality as they filter for food, the health of estuary is
impaired downstream.

Eour years ago, to reduce these problems, Auckland City Council created a large settlement pond while a
grid retains larger pieces of rubbish. The council removes rubbish and water weed. Birds enjoy the pond
wfiile the creek today runs clear to the estuary. Long term, contaminated silt will build up and need to be
removed from the pond then responsibly disposed of on land.

Wai o taiki w^alkway meanders from the pond along the estuary to Tahuna Torea sand spit. Walkers are
rewarded with attractive views enhanced by many planted trees and flax. The next stage will be planting
along the banks of the creek further improving w'ater quality.

20

Wakaaranga Creek mangroves. ( information Morag McDonald, resident 33 years).

When the first houses at the head of Wakaaranga Creek, Tamaki Estuary, were built in 1977, residents
enjoyed a sandy beach margined with native grasses. Pied stilts, oyster catchers and herons fed on the open
flats.

In the early 1980s, property developers Broadlands re-contoured the grassy slope on the northern side of
the creek for a subdivision, causing a massive silt run-off into the creek. The changed habitat from sand to
nutritious mud triggered a spread of mangroves across the bay. The mangroves in turn trapped more silt
thus drying out the margins and causing the sea to retreat. Gradually, invasive weeds such as blackberry,
gorse, agapanthus and convolvulus, ousted the grasses cutting off views from the walkway and reducing
recreational opportunities. The pied stilts, oyster catchers and heron seek food elsewhere.

Although we should expect natural changes to beaches over time, this appears to be a result of ill-
considered human activity lacking in environmental controls.

Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

Of all introduced shellfish the Pacific oyster is the most visible and has the
most serious negative effects. It arrived in New Zealand about 1970,
possibly on Auckland Harbour bridge extensions towed from Japan. It
found the local conditions greatly to its liking and has extensively colonised
the more sheltered shores, especially the upper Waitemata Harbour e.g. Te
Atatu and Pollen Island. Very large specimens thrive in Orakei Basin. It is
present throughout the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

In high density populations the oysters pack together and grow vertically,
presenting lethally sharp surfaces for bare feet or swimmers. Dead shells
form drifts at high tide providing hard substrate across the beach for the attachment of future generations of
oysters.

On the plus side. Pacific oysters are used for commercial farming because they grow rapidly to marketable
size (75 mm) in 18 months.

Pine Harbour Marina dredgings

(Information. Alan La Roche, Howick Historical Society).

In 1989, developers of a marina and residential area at Beachlands ironically changed the name Green Bay
to Pine Harbour. The partly enclosed, shallow bay constantly needs dredging to keep the entry channel
deep enough for boats. The very fine silt derived from local silt and sandstone is contaminated with heavy
metals. 3000 m^ of material has been dredged annually since establishment of the marina. It has been
dumped by Coastal Resources (Kaipara Excavators) using a barge on the outer side of Motukaraka (Flat
Island). Over the years the silt has built up smothering the beach and choking intertidal reefs to the
detriment of marine life. Cockle beds have disappeared.

Resource consent for the dumping ran out in 2009. Pine Harbour management succeeded in deferring the
hearing until April, 2010 and obtaining an extension to continue dredging, citing the need to keep the
marina open during the summer.

Recent dumping (December 2009) has resulted in ankle deep silt covering sandy beaches, not only around
Beachlands but fouling Cockle Bay, Mellons Bay and Howick beach.

Since Whitford landfill would welcome dredged material from Pine Harbour, for the sake of local beaches
and the wider gulf, this must be the environmental choice for the future.

21

LIVING FOSSILS

Zvi Or I in

zviorlin@actcom.co. il

When one sees the phrase 'living fossils' the first one's that come to our minds are the New Zealand Tuatara
lizard of the Sphenodontidae and the fish Latimeria of East African waters of the Coelacanthidae. Both of
them evolved from ancestors circ. 200 million years ago (mya). As our dealings are with Mollusks, I would
like to mention 3 families which are perhaps amongst the most interesting of the Phylum and have a more
ancient lineage. However firstly it is important to clarify what we mean by this term. Darwin was the first
to coin it and we can use a simple definition: "the recent members of an extinct group of organisms". Some
Malacologists prefer: "those that have persisted for long intervals of time with little evolutionary change,
and that are primitive and archaic in comparison with living taxa of the same class or phylum". Others like
Stanley think this label should be dropped altogether. However we will accept the simple definition.

The first family worthy of mention among the Bivalves is the Trigoniidae whose ancestors evolved in the
Ordivician circ. 450mya. Only 2 genuses of this family survived the Cretaceous mass extinction circ.
65mya. In the Cenozoic Era of these two the genus Eotrigonia is now extinct. The genus Neotrigonia is the
only one still extant and it is found in Australia and includes only 5 species, each of which occupies a
segment of the ring of shallow seas that encircle the continent. They have bizarre shell shapes with unusual
profiles of huge interlocking teeth, and unique ridges or rows of knobs on the outer surface. They also have
a highly muscular foot that enables them to burrow in sand more rapidly than other clams which inhabit
shifting sands, and in addition have a distinctive heel facilitating leaping (like some cockles). These 2
characteristics and their agility have probably kept them one step ahead of their predators, and natural
selection favored their survival. I am proud to mention that I had 2 specimens of Trigonia bednaUi in my
shell collection, which I got from friends in Australia.

The ancestors of the second family Neopolinidae evolved in the Cambrian cine. 500 mya. and of them in
the present over 20 species have been identified and described. In 1952 10 living specimens of Neopolina
galathea were discovered while trawling off the coast of Costa Rica at a depth of 3590 m. It was
considered an unusual discovery, but later many more specimens were found at depths of up to 6000
meters, which accounts for them being undetected before. It was discovered that some of the earlier finds
classified in this family were formerly identified as Chitons or limpets, but a new class was established and
they now belong to Monoplacophora. They are found worldwide in the major oceans after being considered
extinct since the Devonian circ.400 mya. They resemble Limpets in outer appearance and Chitons in
several characteristics, but are different having a nacreous shell structure, a cap shaped protoconch and
serial multiplications of several organ systems. Extant species feed on detritus in the cold waters in which
they are found, and certain species have symbiotic bacteria in the epidermis of their mantle. It is possibly
considered as an archaic mollusk, which may have lead to the evolution of Scaphopods, Bivalves,
Gastropods and Cephalopods. They are even found off Antarctica and in the Red Sea as well.

Now we come to the most fascinating of our living fossils: the Genus Nautilus. The earliest Nautiloids
evolved in the Cambrian, the first period of the Paleozoic era. They have thick shells for protection and
their rears are closed off with calcareous partitioned chambers of liquid filled space. They developed a
method of replacing this liquid with gas. In the partition between the chambers is a perforation permitting
the passage of a porous tube called the siphuncle that includes blood vessels, nerves and other tissues. It
joins the liquid filled chambers with the anterior living chamber.

22

The liquid is removed by osmosis: if the salt content of the liquid is lower than that of the animal's blood,
the osmotic gradient causes the liquid to flow through the blood into the body, leaving behind a gas filled
space. The role of the siphuncle is to control the gas and liquid content of the chambers. This creates a
buoyancy organ, enabling them to hover weightlessly above the sea bottom and swoop down on their prey.
They are jet propelled predators, catching prey with their tentacles and biting off chunks of flesh with a
parrot-like beak. The shell shapes in former times were either straight or coiled (like snail shells), some
reaching a few meters in size were recorded. The gas is at very low pressure and thus has an implosion
depth, at which the greater pressure of the sea could crush the shell. So Nautiloids could only submerge
down to about 600 meters, but usually most probably lived up to about 300 meters in comparatively
shallower depths. The shell system has a very slow growth rate and it can take up to 20 years for the animal
to reach full adult size.

During the Early Paleozoic fishes evolved, but mainly in fresh water lakes, ponds and streams. By the
Devonian, however, they had invaded the sea and evolved true jaws. They at first attacked young
Nautiloids, and slow growth became a major liability. The Nautiloids dwindled as fish proliferated. New
species called Ammonites evolved from them and produced a vast number of tiny eggs, whereas the
Nautiloids produced very few which took many months before they hatched. Thus the Ammonites through
their numerous young that floated in the plankton, could be carried in the currents to widely separated parts
of the globe. By the end of the Devonian they radiated explosively into many hundreds of new species. 80
genera existed then, but they were later annihilated by successive mass extinctions. They became common
again in the Mesozoic era (the Age of Dinosaurs) with over 400 genera in the Triassic circ.220 mya.
Despite a mass extinction at the end of the Triassic when only 2 genera survived, they radiated again in the
Jurassic. By the early Cretaceous they were amongst the most common creatures of the sea. The
subsequent mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous (referred to as the KT extinction cine. 65 mya.)
annihilated them, after a 300 million year reign. Near the end of their reign they evolved other shell shapes
and sizes, (becoming giants or very small - a few cm.), but to no avail.

The cardinal question is why did the Nautiloids survive the KT extinction? According to P.T.Ward one of
the reasons is that the Nautilus eggs seem to be laid and kept at great depths (100-300 meters) during the
year it takes them to develop.

The KT catastrophe killed off all the juvenile and adult Ammonites and Nautiloids as well, except for their
slowly developing eggs, preserved at a great depth. Only 1 genus Nautilus survived till the present, with
only 5 species.

But are these the only living fossils of mollusks? I have searched my available literature and would like to
present a list of the extant common families whose ancestors can be traced further back than 150 mya. I
have not added the Cretaceous Period as it borders on the Cenozoic era, when most of the present extant
species of mollusks evolved, and many of them trace the first appearance of their ancestors back to it. My
list has been limited to families well known to most shell collectors.

Mesozoic Era: Jurassic. Aporrhaidae, Epitoniidae, Ringiculidae, Cylichnidae,

Physidae, Retusidae, Ellobiidae, Siphonariidae.

Arcidae, Anomiidae, Tellinidae, Arcticidae, Thraciidae,

Teuthidae, Sepiidae.

Triassic. Scissurellidae, Fissurellidae, Neritidae, Strombidae,

Naticidae, Architectonicidae.

Mytilidae, Pteriidae, Limidae, Ostreidae, Gryphaeidae,

Spondylidae.

Paleozoic Era: Carboniferous. Acteonidae, Pinnidae.

Devonian. Solemyidae, Nuculanidae, Pectinidae, Cardiidae.

Ordivician. Trochidae, Buccinidae, Scaphopoda

Cambrian. Pleurotomariidae, Chitons.

23

It is interesting to compare the evolutionary history of the Brachiopods (Lamp shells) and Mollusks which
have similar calcareous shells and were classified as the same phylum till the early 20"’ Century, but are
now in separate phylums.

The Brachiopods also evolved in the Cambrian and radiated in the Paleozoic to reach over 10,000 species,
forming one of the most common and characteristic of the era in the warm shallow seas. For 200 million
years they were one of the optimum successful groups of the seas. The Permian mass extinction decimated
their numbers and many thousands of species died; the heyday of Brachiopods was over, never to return.
They were forced into caves and deep waters or the edge of the sea. Some survivors became poisonous and
unappetizing to predators. They retreated to inhospitable habitats and even quit the tropics entirely, mainly
for deep and cold waters and only a few hundred species are still extant.

After the Permian extinction innumerous habitats were vacant for exploitation, and the Mollusks quickly
filled many of them and radiated into new species, replacing the Brachiopods. But then followed the
Mesozoic Marine Revolution: shell breaking and other predators arrived, among them Mollusk
Neogastropods like Oyster Drills, Cones and Tritons but also Crabs, Lobsters, Rays and Skates. In order to
survive many of the Bivalves took to the depths of the sea and brackish backwaters or estuaries and the
high intertidal zone - places of extreme temperatures or sudden changes of salinity. They learned to live
where the predators could not. They also invaded terrestrial habitats very successfully. Worthy of note
among the clams from the middle of the Paleozoic are the Scallops (Pectinidae) that have survived. The
secret of their success was they can clap their valves and swim away from their predators.

Thus the Mollusks now stand foremost among invertebrates, if one considers variety of shell form,
diversification of structure and success of adaptation to changing conditions. They currently comprise the
second most prolific phylum of fauna with 130,000 named extant species and 70,000 described fossil
species.

References

Clausen C.D. 1976. Neopolina: A Living Fossil. Origins 3(1): 56-59.

Fenton C.L., Fenton M.A., Rich P.V. and Rich T.H. 1989. The Fossil Book. Revised and Expanded.
Doubleday, New York, 740 pp.

Levin H.L. 1999. Ancient Invertebrates and Their Living Relatives. Prentice Hall Inc., Upper Saddle
River, New Jersey, USA. 358 pp.

Ponder W.F. and Lindberg D.R. Editors. 2008. Phylogeny and Evolution of the Mollusca. University of
California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California, 469 pp.

Stanley S.M. 1978. Aspects of the adaptive morphology and evolution of the Trigoniidae. Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 284. B., 247-258.

Ward P.D. 1991. On Methuselah's Trail. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, 212 pp.

THE BLUE MUSSEL, MYTILUS GALLOPROVINCIALIS PLANULATUSy
EXPANDS ITS RANGE AROUND AUCKLAND

Margaret S Morley and Bruce W Hayward

Recently established populations of the blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis planulatus, are reported
from the inner Hauraki Gulf around Auckland.

Name Changes

Recent research on this species has resulted in several short-lived name changes, and despite this the
taxonomy may still be unstable (de Cook, 2010). It has been known previously as Mytilus edulis, M.
planulatus, M. aoteanus and M. galloprovincialis.

Simon Crowe (1910) records M. galloprovincialis planulatus as a non-introduced species present in
Tasmania and southern areas of Australia.

AK numbers refer to lots in the Auckland War
Memorial Museum collections.

New Zealand Geographic Range

The geographic range of Mytilus g. planulatus in the intertidal zone is throughout New Zealand, including
the northern Aupourian province (Spencer et al. 2009). They are common in the south, but rare over the
northern half of the North Island (Powell, 1979). Dense beds occur in some southern localities, e.g.,
Marlborough Sounds (de Cook 2010, p. 485). In Fiordland they live near high tide level on the rock walls
of most fiords, together with Limnoperna pulex and Aulacomya maoriana (Ryan and Paulin, 1998). Bruce
Marshall (1999) recorded them live in the Wellington area from 1960 to the present.

A dead specimen from Owenga, Chatham Island, collected in 1933, is in the Auckland Museum. Very
large specimens up to 150 mm in length have been recorded (de Cook, 2010, p. 485) but no location is
given. Northern specimens tend to be smaller than southern ones. When checking the Auckland Museum
collections, it was interesting to note that pale golden specimens of M. g. planulatus occur in North
Canterbury, Dunedin and Marfells Beach, south Otago (AK98956).

Identification

Fig. 1. Hinge teeth of Mytilus galloprovincialis planulatus

The common name, blue mussel, distinguishes it from the green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus.
However both species can be dark to almost black and sometimes occur in the same locations so it is easy
to confuse them. M. g. planulatus lives on mid-tide rocks while P. canaliculus is more often found at low
tide and down to 50 m depth (Powell 1979). Sunlight filtering through water can reflect deceptively blue
eolour from P. canaliculus (pers. obs.). Both have similar, variable shapes, but M. g. planulatus has a
narrower beak, is broader and more inflated than P. canaliculus. The most positive feature to confirm
identification is the small teeth in the hinge at the anterior end of M. g. planulatus (Fig. 1), which are not
present in P. canaliculus (Fig. 2). However the teeth are sometimes eroded off in beach worn specimens.

25

Fig. 2. Hinge details Perna canaliculus.

Distribution in the north of the North Island

The presence or absence of M g. planulatus on known dates at various locations around northern New
Zealand are summarised in Figs 3 and 4 and the appendix.

The earliest records of M. g. planulatus from northern New Zealand in the Auckland Museum are of speci-
mens from small, localised populations at Great Barrier and Waiheke Islands collected in 1932
(AKl 19186, 14882). Single valves were found washed up at Oneroa, Waiheke Island in 1982 and 1986
(Morley collection) but have not been found there over frequent visits since (pers. obs.).

Fig. 3. Distribution of the Blue mussel, Mytilus g. planulatus around the Auckland region

2

26

Between 1970 and the 1990s, specimens were plentiful in Kaiarara Bay, Fitzroy Harbour, Great Barrier
Island when they provided a welcome addition to the Morley family diet! We found them to be locally
common in the Bay of Islands in the 1990s (AK731220; Morley and Hayward, 1999). This species has
been present in the northern Hauraki Gulf for some time since rare dead specimens were dredged up from
40 m from off Pakiri, in replenishment sand put on Mission Bay, Auckland in the 1990s (Morley et.
all 996). Rare live specimens were present at Cudlip Point, Mahurangi in 2005, these had changed in 2009
to higher numbers over a wider area (pers. obs.). A single, mature valve from Tokerau on the north-east
coast of Northland collected in March 2010 appears to be the most northern record.

Our earliest known record from the Waitemata Harbour is a dead specimen found at Howick Beach in 1958
(Arthur White collection). In 1998 and 2001, single live specimens were found in high tide rock pools at
Musick Point (Morley collection). Subsequently, occasional live specimens in the same area were noted by
Chris Home in 2005 (AKl 16847). More recently, specimens were found living at Eastern Beach in August
2009.

05 Parengarenga Hbr

98,0

Ahipara ^
Herekino

Bay of Islands

95^og7o/<eraty Bay
Bland Bay

Whananaki Hbr & coast

Kawerua ssx

Surveyed intertidal sites
with and without Mytilus
galloprovincialis
planulatus

00 I

96 Ngunguru

02 ^

32i‘s’x04 Great Barrier I.

04 ^03

■05

100 km

00 % . ^hangapoua Hbr & coast

00

Waitakeres coast

9o«0Z )

north Manukau Hbr coast

Raglan Hbr & coast
Kawhia Hbr & coast

north Taranaki

New Plymouth

Intertidal survey sites
lacking M. galloprovincialis
planulatus and year

Intertidal survey sites
05 with M. galloprovincialis
planulatus and year in italics

01

Mahia

Fig. 4. Distribution of Mytilus galloprovincialis planulatus in the inner Hauraki Gulf

27

In March 2009 and June 2010 live specimens were found attached to mid-tide rocks on the northern coast
of Motuihe Island; in August 2009 low numbers were living at Man o’ War Bay, east end of Waiheke Is-
land and on Motukaha Island on the west coast of Waiheke. A few live specimens of M g. planulalus
were found by the authors at Little Shoal Bay, Waitemata Harbour in March 2010. Occasional live inter-
tidal specimens were found at Waikulabubu Beach, north-east coast of Motutapu Island, Waitemata Har-
bour in February 2010 (pers. obs.).

The most dramatic occurrence noted by the authors has been the dense beds on intertidal rocks at Kennedy
Point, south coast of Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour in March 2009. These were fully adult indicating
the beds have been present for at least two years.

Localities where M. galloprovincialis plamdatus w as not found

M. g. plamdatus was not found in the Waitemata Harbour during shoreline searches in the 1990s (Hayward
et al., 1999a), nor was it present at the following locations: the Waitakere coast during 30 field days of in-
tertidal searches between 1998 and 2002 (Hayward and Morley, 2004); Raglan (Hayward et. al. 2002);
Kawhia (Morley et al., 1997); Taranaki (Hayward et. al. 1999b); Kawerua (Hayward et. al., 1995); Ahipara
(Hayward et. al,. 2004); New Plymouth (Hayw'ard and Morle,y 2002); Beachlands (Morley et. all 998);
Parengarenga Harbour (Hayward et. al., 2001) and many far north beaches from Taupiri to Cape Maria van
Dieman and Spirits Bay during an extensive trip by Heather Smith and MSM (Morley and Smith, 2005).

Discussion

In the last two to fi\ e years M. g. plamdatus has colonised new areas around Auckland, such as Kennedy
Point. Waiheke, and Eastern Beach and Musick Point, near the entrance to Tamaki Estuary, where it is be-
coming common on intertidal rock platforms. Have pre-existing populations to the north (e.g.. Bay of Is-
lands and Great Barrier Island) spread south, becoming more common, or are the new records due to spread
from the south? The latter seems unlikely as this dispersal would be against the south flowing current and
there are no common populations of M. g. plamdatus along the east coast of the North Island, south of the
Waitemata Harbour. It is possible how'ever that they have been transported north attached to boats.

It could be expected that such a predominately southern species would prefer cooler water, but although the
surface water on the w est coast of the North Island is three degrees cooler than that on the east coast
(Adams, 1994), no M. g. planulatus have been recorded from the west coast from New Plymouth to Ahi-
para (Fig. 4). The Durville Current flow^s north along the west coast variably as far as New Plymouth, so
has the potential to carry larvae from the Wellington area, where M. g. plamdatus is the dominant mussel,
but this has not occurred. Further north currents are weak and variable and have the potential to transport
larvae both north and south along the w'est coast of the northern North Island (Sutton, 2010).

If any members have additional data in their collections or from obser\ ations in the north or the west coast
of the North Island to clarify the spread of M g. planulatus, please contact Margaret phone (09) 5768323
or email mmorley@aucklandmuseum.com

Acknowledgements

We thank Ashwaq Sabaa for scanning the drawings for Figs 3 and 4; Heather Smith and Alison Stanes for
company in the field, travel, accommodation in their motor home and Heather for checking a Perna cana-
liculus record at Coopers Beach.

28

References

Adams, N.M. 1994. Seaweeds of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch New Zealand.

Cook de C., S. 2010. New Zealand Coastal Marine Invertebrates. University of Canterbury Press, 640 p.

Crowe, S. 2010. A guide to the marine mollusks of Tasmania, http://www.molluscsoftasmania.net/
index.html

Hayward, B.W., Morley, M.S., Riley, J., Smith, N. and Stace, G. 1995. Additions to the mollusc fauna
from Kawerua, North Auckland. Tane 35: 183-193.

Hayward, B.W., Stephenson, A.B., Morley, M.S., Riley, J.L., Grenfell, H.R. 1997.

Faunal changes in the Waitemata Harbour sediments 1930s- 1990s. Journal of the Royal Society of New
Zealand 27: 1-20.

Hayward, B.W., Morley, M.S., Hayward, J.J., Stephenson, A.B., Blom, W.M., Hayward, K.A. and Grenfell
H.R. 1999a. Monitoring studies of the benthic ecology of Waitemata Harbour, New Zealand. Records
of the Auckland Museum 36: 95-1 17.

Hayward, B.W., Morley, M.S., Stephenson, A.B., Blom, W.M., Grenfell, H.R., and Prasad, R. 1999b. Ma-
rine biota of the North Taranaki coast. New Zealand. Tane 37: 171-199.

Hayward, B.W., Stephenson A.B., Morley, M.S., Blom, W.M., Grenfell, H.R., Brook, F.J., Riley, J.L.,
Thompson, F. and Hayward, J.J. 2001. Marine biota of Parengarenga Harbour, Northland, New Zea-
land. Records of the Auckland Museum 37: 45-80.

Hayward, B.W., Morley, M.S., Blom, W., Grenfell, H.R., Smith, N., Rogan, D. and Stephenson, A.B.
2002. Marine Biota of Raglan, Waikato West Coast. Poirieria 28 (Aug): 1-17.

Hayward, B.W., Morley, M.S., Grenfell, H.R., Carter, R., Hayward, G.C., Blom, W.M. and Rogan, D.
2004. Intertidal biota and washup at Ahipara, Northland west coast. Poirieria 30: 13-26.

Hayward, B.W. and Morley, M.S. 2002. Intertidal biota of the proposed Nga Motu Reserve, New Ply-
mouth. Poirieria 28 (March): 1-11.

Hayward, B.W. and Morley, M.S. 2004. Intertidal life around the coast of the Waitakere Ranges. Auckland
Regional Council Working Report No 111. 100 p and maps.

Marshall, B.A. 1998. Marine Mollusca from Wellington Harbour. Appendix 5, Museum of New Zealand,
Te Papa Tongarewa.

Morley, M.S., Thompson, F., Smith, N., Stace, G. and Hayward, B.W. 1996. Mission Bay replenishment
from Pakiri dredging. Poirieria 18: 27-40.

Morley, M.S., Hayward, B.W., Stevenson, A.B., Smith, N. and Riley, J. 1997. Molluscs, Crustacea and
echinoderms from Kawhia, west coast. North Island. Tane 36: 157-180.

Morley, M.S. Goulstone, J., Goulstone, G., Hazelwood, B., Headford, B., Smith, N.,

Morley, M.S. and Hayward, B.W. 2009. Marine mollusca of Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. Records of
the Auckland Museum 46: 15-51.

Sneddon, R., Standish, A., and Willan, J. 1998. Mollusc survey Beachlands and Motukaraka Island. Poiri-
eria 22: 4-11.

Morley, M.S. and Hayward, B.W. 1999. Inner shelf Mollusca of the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, and their
depth distribution. Records of the Auckland Museum 36: 1 19-140.

Morley, M..S. and Smith, H.D. 2005. Seventy-five jubilations in Northland. Poirieria 32: 4-19.

Powell, A.B.W. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, 500 p.

Ryan, P.A. and Paulin, C.D. 1998. Fiordland Underwater. Exisle Publishing Ltd., 192 p.

Spencer, H.G., Willan, R.C., Marshall, B.A. and Murray, T.J. 2009. Checklist of the Recent Mollusca de-
scribed from the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone, http://torea.otago.ac.nz/pubs/spencer/
Molluscs/index.html

Sutton, P. 2010. What West Auckland Current? Flows off the West Coast of Northland, New Zealand.

New Zealand Marine Science Society Conference Abstracts, p.l27.

Appendix showing northern spread of Mytiliis galloprovincialis plamilalus. n = nil found, d - dead, r = rare, o - occasional, c = common.

Appendix showing northern spread of Myiilus galloprovincialis planulatus. n = nil found, d = dead, r = rare, o = occasional, c = common, 1 = live

u

30

THE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES CHRISTCHURCH

;

Colleen Patterson

I lived in Orere until I was 12, living on the comer of Deery Road leading down to Ashby’s Beach (now
Tapa^akanga Regional Park), before moving over to Kawakawa Bay. Mum continued living there until
she died 1 0 years ago — so that meant lots of visits and holidays at the beach during my adult life.

I was always being told to remove the smelly shells form under my bed! For my 12th birthday mum and
dad gave me a second hand oak framed glass cabinet with glass shelving — ^it cost 2 pounds and measured
500cm wide x 300cm deep x 1750cm high.

a

When I was 25 and buying my own house one of my brothers brought my cabinet to me in his tmck. I al-
ready had my shells. Being in Rotorua we had quite a few shakes and tremors every year and I always
knew something was going on because the shells rattled the glass shelves.

Fourteen years later I remarried and moved to Reporoa, complete with shell cabinet and shells that kept
rattling. Whilst living there mum read an article in the NZ Herald about shells at Mission Bay, sent it to
' me, and I subsequently joined the Auckland Shell Club.

D

Now I had the opportunity to see, learn about, and buy shells. I acquired Jim’s old glass fronted stereo
cabinet. Ten years later we were off to Tokoroa for two years (through Jim’s work) and my shells rattled
on the glass shelving over there as well. Whilst there, for my 50th birthday Jim built a lovely big wooden

cabinet with 24 slim drawers with individually fitted dividers of various sizes for guess what .. More shells!

□

Then back to Rotorua for ten years where the shells still rattled. I got a cupboard and a bookcase. Jim re-
tired and we moved to Christchurch. Here I have got a whole small room allocated to my shells, a bench
and more drawers.

Just before 4.36am on Saturday 5th September 2010 we both woke — ^”what’s that?” as there was a loud
noise coming straight towards us it seemed. Then we started to “rock and roll”. I yelled “my shell cabi-
net”. I leapt out of bed, catching the cabinet as it headed towards me. I leant on an angle towards the cabi-
net, holding it at the top with my arms straightened out — it took all of my strength (and I’m a reasonably
strong person). The quake just kept coming. The two door cupboard beside me was bouncing in and out.
The drawers in the wooden cabinet Jim built went inwards, other drawers came outwards but not com-
pletely out, I had three tall heavy wires inserted into a wooden base and upon the wires threaded 50 or so
various sized sea eggs collected over the years at Kawakawa Bay — ^unfortunately about two thirds of them
were destroyed in the earthquake. On the bench I had set out my neritidae family as I’d been spending time
on them — they didn’t move and survived the quake intact!

r Around 5.30am I had the chance to prop the cabinet up with a cane chair, padded with two large outdoor
I chair squabs. With many strong shakes continuing it took me several hours to stop thinking “my shells!”,
j It wasn’t imtil late Sunday I began to relax with only smaller shakes and shudders occurring. The power
was reinstated by 1.00pm on Sunday.

We have both been very lucky with no damage to the house or section. Initially it appeared that a lot of
damage had occurred to contents but once we tided up we had very little breakage. Although we did lose a
few pieces of Mum’s old china.

" V*

By 6.00am on Saturday we sorted out anotne: phone to plug directly into
Michael rang to see if we were alright. I lold riim wiiat I had done — ^his advir ~ '

save myself, not mv shells! Apparently what Nadine said when he told her is i —

This moniing 1 went to Mitre 10 Mega here in Hornby. The oak cabinet is now ]attacii63;iSbr^^
in its life tc the wall -with earthquake brackets and whilst writing this we have ltk|l
:^hudders. '• '

New I know what I should do in the event of an earthquake ... but for a shell lover my first thought was to

my shells.

Poirieria.

Pier lean Museui of Natural
History

Received on; 12-20-10

■ yj

32

POIRIERIA

Auckland Shell Club

(Conchology Section, Auckland Museum Institute)

http://nz_seashells.tripod.coin

Volume 36, December 2011

ISSN 0032-2377

Contents

P.l Editorial

by Patricia Langford

P.2 Obituary: Professor John Morton B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., FRSNZ, QSO

by Margaret S. Morley

P.6 Oystering: Notes resulting from an April/2011 field-trip

by Michael K. Eagle

P.IO A Fossil Egg Case of Alcithoe Arabica from the Whanganui Pleistocene

by Jack Grant-Mackie, School of Environment, University of Auckland.

P.13 Marjorie Mestayer (1880-1955) and her Molluscan Studies and Collections

by Bruce W. Hayward and Margaret S. Morley

P.20 Between The Tides: Beachcombing Muriwai and Rangatira Beaches

by Michael K. Eagle

P.24 Manukau Harbour Mollusc Survey, 1952 to 1963

by Margaret S. Morley, Bruce W. Hayward and Ken Hipkins

“Poirieria” is the journal of a private club which is closely associated with the Auckland Museum
Institute.

Reference copies of "Poirieria" are held in the General Library of The Auckland War Memorial
Museum and in the Natural History Library located in the Museum's Natural History Gallery.

Subscription to “Poirieria” is by membership of the Auckland Shell Club. For more information see
our website at http://nz_seashells.tripod.com/

All correspondence regarding membership, change of address, distribution queries, back issues, etc
should be addressed to the Secretary identified on our website.

We also welcome contributions on suitable topics emailed to the Poirieria Editor identified on our
website.

Views expressed in the “Poirieria” are those of contributors and may not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the Auckland Shell Club.

Editorial

As I write, I am completing preparations for our annual recycling day (shell
club members auction) - a good way to enhance collections without removing
more specimens from their natural environment.

This has been a significant year for increased awareness of our total
environment. There is no doubt we are well advanced into the reality of
global warming, and the numerous adaptations all earthly life forms must
make in order to survive. Stories of undersized malnourished polar bears
swimming greater distances in an increasingly distressed and exhausted state
in their search for food make uncomfortable reading. Increased Arctic sea
temperatures do not make for an abundance of food, in fact the melting ice floes and diminishing
coastal ice fields are effectively blocking the normal feeding and foraging ranges of polar bears and
other Arctic dwellers. Comparable changes are also occurring in Antarctic seas.

For the first time I have been disconcerted to harvest runner bean seed pods at the end of autumn
with the mature bean seeds already sprouting, and my pear tree has produced three crops of
blossoms in less than a year.

On a Pacific Islands cruise this winter I visited many of our modestly sized Pacific neighbours.

How vulnerable they are to a minor rise in sea level, or any seismic disturbances, or drought. Only a
few days ago the island of Tuvalu was down to 60 litres of fresh water for a population of more than
300 residents, and was sent relief from New Zealand in the form of a desalination plant.

On a more positive note I recently saw an excellent TV documentary "'BBC Human PlaneC
portraying the lives of people living harmoniously in a close marine environment, seldom, or never
venturing onto land. One humble fisherman making a living in an area of significantly dwindling
fish resources had developed a truly superhuman feat of hunting for fish. With the aid of deep
controlled breathing and meditation he was able to slip over the side of his simple canoe, dive
unaided, and literally sprint across the seafloor, chase and spear a fish, and return to the surface in a
single sustained two and a half minutes breath. Survival of the fittest, undoubtedly.

With global warming a reality, I expect we may find more molluscan wanderers from tropical seas
washed up around our coasts - an opportunity for Shell Club members to make new discoveries in
the future.

I wish to dedicate this issue to the memory of the late, truly great, John Morton, who enlivened and
educated the lives of so many people from all walks of life.

Your Editor,

October 201 1

1

Obituary

Professor John Morton B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., FRSNZ, QSO

By Margaret S. Morley

On one occasion he laid face-down on the floor
creating ripples with an old (rather dusty!) mat
to show us how the wave of muscle contraction
passed along a flatworm. At the time I was writing the newsletter and made a cartoon of this bit of
drama. After it was printed I got cold feet and worried in case he was offended, but he took the
trouble to phone me and say how much he enjoyed it! His motto was “A good teacher cannot stand
on his dignity”.

He certainly followed his own dictum with great exuberance. Everyone who knew John has their
own special stories and anecdotes attesting to his delightful sense of humour.

Members of the Conchology Section were
saddened to learn of the death of John Morton,
aged 87.

John passed away quietly at home on Sunday 6
March 2011 with his wife Pat, son Robbie and
daughter Clare beside him. His funeral was held
at St Mary’s cathedral, Parnell where his coffin
was covered with Struthiolaria shells as he had
requested. The large number of people
attending showed how widespread his influence
has been.

John was Patron of the Shell Club for 27 years
giving us annual lectures, often concluding one
by enthusing on his next topic. These lectures
were the most popular and inspiring of the year.
Who could forget his dramatic use of his
multipurpose gown or jacket to represent the
molluscan mantle, or the gills that were drawn
on the inside with white chalk?

ON THE LOCOMOTION OF FLAT WORM

John was founding Professor of Zoology at Auckland University where he inspired many students
and other colleagues, including those who have since risen to be eminent scientists. Walter
Cemohorsky tells of John returning from a Royal Society trip to the Solomons and giving him
numerous Nassarius species to identify, saying “You should write a book on these, there is nowhere

2

to look them up”. This was the impetus that started Walter publishing on this species (Cemohorsky
1972).

John was the author of numerous scientific papers and other illustrated books (see below).

A comprehensive account of Professor Morton’s immense, academic achievements, including his
publications, is documented by Brian Morton (2011). An important book on molluscs was written
by John in 1958. Generations of students found this book so valuable that it went to nine editions.
Following his research with Michael Miller on New Zealand marine intertidal fauna during the
1960s, their book. The New Zealand Sea Shore, (1968), provided a detailed reference. Although the
names are well out of date, this is still widely used today.

In 1965 it was John who advocated Goat Island, Leigh as the site for the University Marine
Research Laboratory. He was its first director. This location offered a variety of different habitats
within a short distance.

New Zealand’s first marine reserve at Goat Island was gazetted in 1975; it is now the most visited
in New Zealand, with further development underway for a public interpretation centre.

For many years the Shell Club used to hold meetings in the Auckland Museum. Before one
meeting, I discovered John preparing for his lecture by drawing “invisibly” on the blackboard. As I
was greatly puzzled, he showed me his method of using black crayon for the outline which could be
followed accurately at lightning speed during the lecture with coloured chalks. He was not at all
fazed by the fact that the crayon could not be cleaned off again! He delighted in the fact that the
outline of a clam he had drawn 20 years before could still be seen close up.

When Ngataringa Bay on the North Shore was threatened with reclamation in 1980, John led a
series of public “beach” trips (Morley 1981). On one of these John was following a young boy
wearing a hooded jacket. As the boy walked along, John steadily filled the hanging hood with mud
crabs. To the delight of the watching group it began to rain, no doubt that boy has vivid memories
of flipping his hood up!

We were all taken in by John’s next trick which was to entice everyone in close to view the animals
under a slab of rock, then, whack, he released it into the muddy water! This series was my own
introduction to the fascination of beach life.

The Shell Club held its 50th anniversary in the Auckland Museum in 1980. John illustrated his
lecture using two blackboards, drawing with great speed first on one, then the other. A young
member had been appointed to rub out after him and at times had to run to keep up with the pace!

When the Marine Department at Auckland War Memorial Museum was threatened with closure in
1997, John gave an impassioned speech against closure and redundancies to a Trust Board meeting.
He also gave a public lecture supporting the marine department, ironically, as he pointed out, at the
Marine Rescue Centre!

When sand dredged from off Pakiri was used to replenish Mission Bay in 1996, John wrote a lyrical
article in Poirieria on the dangers of using a finite resource (1996).

His other writings for the Poirieria Journal include two entitled Strombacea revisited (1997).

In 2005, John attended the Shell Club’s 75th anniversary when he blew out the candles on the cake
with Noel Gardner. He gave the Shell Club a complete set of all his numerous scientific papers.

John published his last book, ‘‘"Sea Shore Ecology of New Zealand and the Pacific’’’ in 2004. This
was his major retirement project and for many years it seemed that no publisher would touch it,
until our shell club came to the rescue with a contribution and successfully solicited sponsorship
support for it from DoC. and local authorities to the tune of $40,000. The second condition to have

3

it published was that the taxonomy needed to be updated throughout - a demanding and time-
consuming task allocated to another shell club member, Bruce Hayward.

John’s expertise in Pacific shores developed from leading groups of Auckland University
undergraduate students to Fiji between 1977 and 1983. He had also worked in Samoa, the Cook
Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and British Columbia.

His drawing skills were legendary, he was able to capture the essence of an organism or shore
zonation. He was the first to draw a map and illustrate a cross section of a shore. For this book he
drew some molluscs from the Auckland Museum collections. His method was to boldly draw the
draft in biro as he explained this means you really have to get the proportions right the first time!

John’s interests spanned many disciplines. His passion for conservation and botanical expertise
played a key role in saving Whirinaki forest and the west coast beech forests in the South Island
from logging (Morton 1984).

Closer to his home in Castor Bay, Auckland, with his wife Pat, he founded the Centennial Park
Bush Society to protect and enhance a local area. Society members continue to remove weeds, plant
natives, maintain and develop walking tracks.

John was a devout Christian, becoming an honorary Canon of the Diocese of Auckland. He wrote
three books on theology.

At John’s funeral his daughter told of John dissecting dead animals on the kitchen chopping board
and examining gut to see what fish had been eating.

His wife, Pat gave unfailing support in all his endeavours. As well as preparing meals, sometimes
for big numbers at short notice, she did the accounts and gave him pocket money. Sometimes he
had to ask for an advance! Sadly Pat passed away nine days after John.

John will be fondly remembered for his time and unique expertise so generously given to the
Conchology Section. His inspiration lives on.

Thank you to members of the Shell Club who shared their memories.

REFERENCES

Cemohorsky, W.O. 1972. Indo-Pacific Nassariidae. Records of the Auckland Museum and Institute,
9: 125-194.

Morley, M.S. 1981. Devonport Coastal Walks. Poirieria 11(1): 18-21.

Morton B. 2011. Obituary John Morton B.Sc., M.Sc., (Auckland), Ph.D., D.Sc. (London), FRSNZ,
QSO, Hon. FLS (1 April 1924-6 March 2011). Marine Research (in press).

Morton, J.E. 1958. Molluscs. Hutchinson, London. 244 pp.

Morton, J.E. and Miller, M. 1968. The New Zealand Sea Shore. Collins. 653 pp.

Morton, J.E. Ogden, J. and Hughes, T. 1984. To save a forest- Whirinaki. David Bateman,
Auckland. 1 1 1 pp.

Morton, J.E. 1996. Sermon from sand Poirieria 19: 1-4.

Morton, J.E. 1997. Part 1 Strombacea revisited, Struthiolaria and Aporrhais. Poirieria 20: 1-12.
Morton, J.E. 1997. Part 2 Strombacea revisited. Poirieria 21: 1-17.

Morton, J.E. 2004. Sea Shore Ecology of New Zealand and the Pacific. David Bateman, Auckland.
504 pp.

Willan, R.C. and Morton, J.E. 1984. Marine Molluscs Part 2, Opisthobranchia. Leigh Marine
Laboratory. 106 pp.

(A complete list of John Morton’s books and papers is published in Brian Morton’s obituary 201 1).

4

John Edward Morton, 1923-2011

1952

1952-60

1958

1959
1960-70
1965
1965-72
1968
1972
1974-75
1970s
1975
1975

1977

1978 - 86
1980s

1986

1987

1997-1999

1988-2010

PhD, Birkbeck College, London University
Lecturer in Zoology Queen Mary College, London
Vice-President Malacology Society of London

DSc, London University 1 960-88 Professor of Zoology, Auckland University

Head of Zoology Dept, Auckland University

Leader of Royal Society Marine Expedition to Solomon Islands

Chairman of Leigh Marine Laboratory committee

Appointed Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand

Appointed Honorary Fellow of Linnaean Society of London

Leverhulme Professor of Biology, Hong Kong University

Elected member, Auckland Regional Council

Initiator of Biological Conservation programmes for ARC

Chairman, NZ Nature Conservation Council

Visiting Professor of Marine Biology, Vancouver Island, Canada

Member of the Executive of NZ Royal Forest & Bird Society

Leader of annual shore ecology field courses in Fiji

QSO for contribution to NZ science & conservation

Chairman, NZ Royal Forest & Bird Society

Member, Auckland Museum Institute Committee

Patron of Auckland Museum Conchology Section

Books by John Morton

. Molluscs. Hutchinson University Library, London, 1958 (1st ed), 1967 (4th ed)

. Guts: the form and function of the digestive system. Edward Arnold, London, 1967 (Japanese ed 1978)

. Rocky shore ecology of the Leigh Area, North Auckland. Leigh Marine Lab, 1968 (with Val Chapman)

. The New Zealand Seashore. Collins, 1968 (with Michael Miller)

. Man, Science & God. Collins, London, 1 972

. Seacoasts in the 70’s. The future of the New Zealand shore. Hodder & Stoughton, 1973 (with David
Thom & Ron Locker)

. The soft shores of Suva and its environs. Universioty of South Pacific, 1978 (with Uday Raj)

. Molluscs in Practical Invertebrate Zoology. Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1981
. Marine Molluscs Part 1. Amphineura, archaeogastropoda and pulmonata. Leigh Marine Laboratory,
1982 (with John Walsby, Bill Ballantine & Richard Willan)

. The shore ecology of Suva and S Viti Levu. University South Pacific, 1985 (with Uday Raj)

. Seashore Ecology of Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press, 1983 (with Brian Morton)

. Margins of the Sea: Exploring New Zealand’s coastline Hodder & Stoughton, 1983 (with Ron Cometti)
. To save a forest. Whirinaki. David Bateman, 1984 (with John Ogden & Tony Hughes)

. Marine Molluscs Part 2. Opisthobranchia. Leigh Marine Lab, 1984 (with Richard Willan)

. Redeeming Creation. Zealandia, Auckland, 1984.

. Environment & Ethics. NZ Environmental Council, 1986

. Christ, creation and the environment. Anglican Communications, Auckland, 1989.

. The shore ecology of the tropical Pacific. UNESCO, SE Asia, Jakarta, 1990
. Shore Life between Fundy Tides. Canadian Scholars Press, Toronto, 1991

. Just Scrub, Handbook of Centennial Park, Campbells Bay. Centennial Park Bush Society, 1993 (with
Pat Morton)

. The shore ecology ofUpolu - Western Samoa. University of Auckland, 1993.

. Natural History of Auckland. David Bateman, 1993 (Editor)

. Flora of Marunui. Published privately (with Pat Morton)

. Seashore Ecology of New Zealand and the Pacific. David Bateman, 2004.

5

Oystering: Notes resulting from an April/2011 field-trip.

By Michael K. Eagle

A fossiling field trip to the Cretaceous sediments of Gittos Point, Hargraves Basin, Kaipara Harbour
early April 20 1 1 was marred by a large increase in settlement of the Pacific Oyster (Ostreidae,
Crassostreinae: Crassostrea gigas (Jh\mbQv%, 1793)).

I last visited the locality with Glen Carter in October of 2001, and though spat had occasionally
clumped themselves on foreshore wave-cut sandstone knolls and rills, the beach at that time was
relatively unencumbered. My visit this time (at low tide) was most disappointing with large swathes
of the oyster covering the tidal zone, most struggling to survive amidst a blanket of retained silt.
Naturally this did not make for a clear and open appraisal of the Haumurian Stage outcrop, making
fossiling nigh impossible.

Fig. 1. Gittos Point, Kaipara Harbour, looking from Cobble Beach across Hargraves Basin to Oneriri.

Since being deliberately released into this country, the exotic Pacific Oyster has competed for space
with several others {e.g. Ostreidae, Ostreinae: Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850); Ostreidae,
Ostreinae: Ostrea chilensis Philippi in Kuster, 1844 (including forms now synonymised: Ostrea
lutaria Hutton, 1873a; O. virginica (not of Gmelin, 1791) of Hutton, 1873a; O. corrugata Hutton,
1873b (not of Brocchi, 1814); O. discoidea (not of Gould) of Hutton, 1880; O. edulis (not of Linne,
1758) of Hutton, 1880; O. angasi (not of Sowerby), O. hyotis (not of Linne), and O. reniformis (not
of Sowerby) of Suter, 1913c; Ostrea tatei Suter, 1913c (Suter's type is the Australian Eocene
holotype of O. hippopus Tate, 1886, not of Lamarck); O. sinuata of Finlay, 1928b (not of
Lamarck); O. fococarens Finlay, 1928b (new name for O. corrugata Hutton, preoccupied); O.
heffordi Finlay, 1928b; O. charlottae Finlay, 1928b; O. huttoni Lamy, 1929 (new name for O.
corrugata Hutton, preoccupied); Tiostrea chilensis lutaria Beu & Maxwell, 1990; and another
exotic, brooding oyster, O. stentina Payraudeau, 1 826 (Beu and Raine (2009)).

The Pacific Oyster has been particularly invasive in this country resulting in previously clear
foreshore becoming encrusted with razor-sharp progeny settled one upon the other in the absence of
a hard substrate. Serendipitous settlement sometimes creates minor biostromes not dissimilar in
basic structure to the massive ones of the late Pliocene (Mangapanian Stage) Crassostrea ingens
(Zittel, 1864) reefs in the Wilkies Shellbed, Wanganui Basin {e.g. Oyster Bluff on the Pipiriki
Road, 5 kilometres north of Parakino).

Biostromes alter the foreshore deposition and environment of a locality over time, often causing
coastal progradation by the sustained natural accumulation of sediment and shell.

6

Fig. 2. a. Crassostrea virginica tidal reef, South Carolina; b. American eastern oyster Crassostrea
virginica (no scale implied).

The Kaipara Harbour (one of the largest in the world) has many aquaculture farms spread about its
vast area, including an oyster farm not far from Gittos Point. Oysters have been enjoyed by
humankind since hominids first colonized coastal margins. Readily accessible, easy to eat, their
nutritional benefit and acquired taste enabled a ready market. The Romans are first credited with
creating artificial oyster beds in the First Century B.C. developing them from the European native
species O. edulis Linne, 1758.

Little was spoken or published about marine aquaculture or the possibility of it during Britain’ s
Dark and Middle Ages when science was essentially repressed {i.e. by religious fervor). However, it
was known even then (z.e. over 300 years ago in the 17“ Century) that oysters spawned in the early
Summer and that spat ‘claved’ to stones, old oyster shell, wood ‘and such things’ at the bottom of
the sea, which at that time they called a ‘cultch’.

The last 120 yrs has seen the demise of British and New Zealand native oysters due to excessive
predation, environmental pollution, siltation and pathogens. The endemic New Zealand oyster
Saccostrea glomerata has been crowded out of its natural habitat by vast numbers of exotic
Crassostrea gigas.

Oysters have been harvested in most New World countries since early settlement and prior to that
were an important natural source of food for coastal inhabitants such as Terra del Fuego Indians,
Asians, American Indians, Australian Aborigines, and New Zealand Maori. In America the Eastern
American Oyster {Crassostrea virginica Gmelin, 1791) and the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas
have been introduced to the west coast (though those liberated in San Francisco failed) from the
Atlantic and Japan for the sole purpose of commercial cultivation.

The European Ostrea edulis is also now maricultured (a specialized branch of aquaculture involving
the cultivation of marine organisms for food and other products in the open ocean, an enclosed
section of the ocean, or in tanks, ponds or raceways which are filled with seawater) in the
Mediterranean, Great Britain and United States (in California, Maine, and Washington States). The
species once dominated European oyster production, but has been succeeded by the Pacific Oyster
which now accounts for more than 75 percent of European oyster harvests.

Roek oyster stock enhancement has been practiced by aquaculturalists in many countries for some
time now. Wherever oyster farming exists, the shell has always been regarded as a valuable
commodity, being stockpiled after shucking, then weathered and laid to provide a settlement surface
for oyster larvae. The resource has often been depleted when markets demanded oysters be sold live
in the shell. Epibiotants and parasites are now controlled by artificial means, but even with such due
vigilance oyster production in some localities {e.g. Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, Virginia,
U.S.A) have declined greatly during the last twenty years due mainly to disease, but also to silting
of settlement territory caused by farmland and industrial ‘run-off’

7

Enhanced commercial oyster production in New
Zealand, as in the United States, involves larvae being
settled onto old oyster shell in shore-based tanks.
Larvae of Ostrea chilensis is preferred for its meat,
being unique among oyster species in that it broods
larvae right up to the stage where they are capable of
settlement. Both the closely related native Australian
flat oyster O. angasi and European flat oyster O. edulis
also brood their larvae, but on release the larvae still
have about a six day free swimming stage prior to
settlement, offering the prospect of reduced viability.
Ostrea chilensis possess a large egg (0.3 mm diameter)
containing a large yolk reservoir to aid a developing
embryo. Eye-spotted larvae (grey coloured spawn) of
O. chilensis taken directly from opened spawning
oysters are manually settled onto weathered oyster
shell. Up until the larvae settle they remain yellow-
cream in colour, gradually lightening as the yolk is
consumed, but in later development when grey, they are known as prediveligers. A near empty yolk
sac designates readiness to be liberated, settle as spat, and filter-feed on phytoplankton.

1.

Fig. 4. Ostrea chilensis Philippi in Kiister, 1844: GS208, R22/f7379, Castlecliff, Wanganui,
Castlecliffian Stage (almost certainly from the Tainui Shellbed), from Ben et al. (1990); GNS, Lower
Hurt, Chapter 16: p. 340; pi. 44.

Oysters are one of few molluscs that settle upon themselves. They are not species specific so that
the young grow on other oysters, often ‘choking out’ themselves as well as other competing species.
In a commercial oyster operation spat still settle on the shells of a previous season’s settlement, too
small to remove without damage (as well as being too time-consuming to do so) - an unavoidable
waste.

Successful methods to circumvent this include settling oyster larvae onto clean shell enclosed in
mesh bags held ashore in tanks. First tried in Puget Sound, Washington State, U.S.A. almost all
commercial Pacific Oyster settlement there happens this way. New Zealand’s ‘Bluff Oyster’ O.
chilensis is a different species in a much more open deeper water (20-50 m) environment in stronger
tides and frequent rough seas. Culturing, releasing spat and subsequent monitoring is much more
difficult, though ‘seed oysters’ are periodically released onto dredge-plowed, barren beds to re-
populate for the future. Most oyster spat of O. chilensis appear to grow on the curved inside of
prepared oyster shell; this facilitates a better benthic stability by the mollusc since the convex side
of the shell is usually orientated upward. Small juveniles that attach mainly to the inner concave
surface of the shell appear free from epibiotants {e.g. infestation of coralline algae), indicating that
these are able to settle, attach, and grow-out from the attachment surface when the host oyster shell
is ‘face-dowm’ to the substrate.

8

Also interesting is the fact that small oysters developing on the exposed outer surface of old shells
have harder shells than those growing on the inside. This is probably due to better availability of
dissolved calcium carbonate in the water column and to diagenesis chemical reaction taking place
on the old shell in the immediate vicinity.

Fig. 5. Known as the Pacific or Japanese oyster (Miyagi oyster), Crassostrea gigas is an ostreid native
to the Pacific coast of Asia and, now introduced to Europe, North America, Australia, and New
Zealand.

As the Gittos Point locality has illustrated, rock oysters specifically are a gregarious mollusc that
can quickly occupy a suitable environmental niche in a short time. The Pacific Oyster Crassostrea
gigas appears to be globally the most used species maricultured due to its fecundity, quicker
exponential growth, and environmental tolerance. The Gittos Point locality proves these factors.
Since most oysters are easy to cultivate, it is time in the form of growth, harvesting, and hygienic
preparation that makes them expensive. Though many prefer mussels or scallops, a huge market
exists to satisfy seafood kitchens and gastronomic diners globally.

REFERENCES

Beau, A. G., Maxwell, P. A., and Brazier, R. C. 1990. Cenozoic Mollusca of New Zealand. New
Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin 58: 518p.

Beu, A. G. and Raine, J. I. (2009). Revised descriptions of New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca from
Beu and Maxwell (1990). GNS Science Miscellaneous Series No. 27.

9

A Fossil Egg Case of Alcithoe Arabica from the Whanganui Pleistocene

By Jack Grant-Mackie, School of Environment, University of Auckland.
E-mail : j .grant-mackie@auckland.ac.nz

Back in the 1970s my Department conducted field classes in the Whanganui-Hawera area to study
their strata and faunas.

In May 1971, together with Peter Ballance, Graham Gibson, and a bunch of 3rd-year students, I
found a small white sphere embedded in the rock, hollow and empty except for two gastropod
protoconchs (Fig. 1). This egg case is 1 1.6 mm diameter and very thin and fragile (shell material
0.2-0. 3 mm thick), but it had not collapsed during compaction and lithification. It was seen because
it broke in half on extraction and both halves are preserved in the collections of the Geology
Programme, Auckland University’s School of Environment (specimen G7161, Collection Catalogue
no. AU989).

It came from the coastal cliffs west of Castlecliff, from the Shakespeare Cliff Sand at locality
R22/f6469 (in the Geosciences Society of NZ Fossil Record Electronic Database, ‘FRED’), along
with a rich molluscan fauna and brachiopods, barnacles, other arthropods, and Bryozoa. This unit is
dated as Castlecliffian Stage of the Wanganui Series and correlated with Oxygen Isotope Stage 13,
about a half million years old. For the geologic setting, stratigraphy and faunal lists, see Fleming
(1953), and for correlation with the oxygen isotope sequence and geomagnetic timescale, see, e.g..
Carter & Naish (1999) slightly modified by Beu (201 1).

Fig. 1 Egg case of Alcithoe arabica from Shakespeare Cliff Sand, R22/f6469, Whanganui coast,
broken across and showing t>vo unhatched protoconchs with very' faint spiral lirae.

Scale at lower left is in mm.

The two unemerged and undamaged ‘foetal’ juveniles lying within the egg are about 6.5 mm long
and may be the remnant of a larger ‘litter’, some of which could have been lost, unnoticed, when
the egg case was broken open. The remaining two are thin-shelled juveniles of about 214 whorls

10

consisting of bulbous protoconchs with an eccentric paucispiral nucleus, a pyriform aperture and a
straight columella showing 3 apparent plaits. The initial whorl-and-a-bit on each is smooth but there
is a hint of very faint spiral lirae over the last whorl and base and the begirmings of rounded axial
sculpture on the body whorl of one shell, fading out onto the base. The spiral ornament does not
show up well in the figure, especially with the interior of the egg case containing also fine debris
which may be organic (egg renmants) or inorganic (sand and silt), or both, and not able to be gently
brushed away, but with careful focussing one can see very faint spiral threads over the body whorl.
The whorl profile is smoothly rounded and the suture obvious.

Powell (1979: 211) stated that the egg case in Alcithoe arabica and A. swainsoni “is a white
calcareous dome, half an inch in diameter ... Up to three embryos may develop from the egg, but if
less than that number survive, then a larger protoconch results”. Since then, these two ‘species’
have been synonymised (Bail & Limpus 2005) and recognised as ecologic variants, with the more
nodulose arabica form found in harbours and the smoother swainsoni form in shallow open ocean
conditions.

Penion is another gastropod genus that has direct development from the egg without a veliger stage,
but Beu & Maxwell (1990: 362) record it as having “a large heavy embryonic shell (several in each
large, homy egg capsule” (my emphasis). Morley (2004) states that the egg case in A. arabica is
about 15 mm in diameter. From these points, clearly the egg case belongs to Alcithoe, but the
presence of very faint spirals is not mentioned in any description I have seen of the species in that
genus.

Examination of specimens in the reference collection of the University of Auckland Geology
Programme shows that some specimens do in fact posses weak spirals. Most, however, are too worn
or corroded for them to be preserved, even if previously present. Two specimens from the
Castlecliff Castlecliffian, both labelled G6718, prove to have 4-5 weak spiral threads on the first
post-neanic whorl which then fade away and the whorls assume the ‘swainsoni’ -type form. A
specimen (G2040) of^. (Leporemax) brevis from the Nukumaman strata (2.4 - 1.7 million years
old) of Kerem, Hawkes Bay, has a large smooth globose protoconch of two whorls followed by a
half-whorl with four weak spirals, after which the axials begin. A second specimen of this species,
from AU5727, Ruataniwha, also Nukumaman, shows this same sculptural development. No
specimens of A. (L.) fusus examined by me show spirals other than a faint angulation on the third
post-neanic whorl; this on later whorls becomes the shoulder of the shell. Spirals of the type
described above do not seem to be present in unworn specimens of this species.

Fleming (1953) included Alcithoe swainsoni and A. (Leporemax) fusus in the fauna he recorded
from the Shakespeare Cliff Sand. Beu & Maxwell (1990) stated that the protoconch of A. arabica
and A. fusus are very similar, except that in arabica the protoconch is large and 4-5 mm wide, and in
fusus it is small and 2-3 mm wide. The fossil specimens are ~ 3.5 and 4.0 mm wide and thus
conform more closely to Alcithoe arabica, and this is the identification accepted here. Perhaps the
incipient axial sculpture on the protoconchs suggests the swainsoni form and an open ocean site.

Eggs are very rare objects in the fossil record, and I am aware of few other reported occurrences in
the New Zealand fauna, none of which is of molluscan origin and most of which are merely
eggshell: Worthy & Grant-Mackie (2003) recorded the presence of two partial eggs of the Little
Blue Penguin, Eudyptula minor, from Pleistocene deposits at Oamaru; eggs and eggshell of Moa
(Dinomithiformes) are well-known from Late Quaternary dune and other sequences in various parts
of New Zealand (e.g. Gill. 2006), and eggshell is reported with moa bone fragments in the Miocene
Manuherikia Formation, Central Otago (Tennyson et al. 2010). Overseas, fossil eggs are
occasionally reported, most notably those of dinosaurs (for those interested, for instance, Google
‘fossil eggs’), but fossil molluscan egg cases do not figure in either Google or Wikipedia entries, so
may be unknown. I have found no record in any of the world literature I have consulted and Cox
(1960), a prominent molluscan specialist who contributed to the relevant volume of the Treatise on
Invertebrate Paleontology, stated therein that he also knew of none.

11

It would seem that this record of a fossil gastropod egg case may be the first for both New Zealand
and globally!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Alan Beu, GNS Science, Lower Hutt, has been most helpful in bringing me up to date on the state
of knowledge of systematic in Alcithoe.

The photography was largely done by Neville Hudson and Ritchie Sims, Auckland University
Geology Programme.

Neville also curated this specimen and provided helpful discussion of its identity.

REFERENCES

Bail, P.; Limpus, A. 2005. The Recent volutes of New Zealand, with a revision of Alcithoe H. & A.
Adams, 1853. In Poppe, G.T.; Groh, K. (directors), Conchological Iconography. ConchBooks,
Hachenheim, Germany: 73 pp.

Beu, A.G. 2011. Marine Mollusca of isotope stages of the last 2 million years in New Zealand. Part
4. Gastropoda (Ptenoglossa, Neogastropoda, Heterobranchia). Journal of the Royal Society ofNZ
41: 1-153.

Beu, A.G.; Maxwell, P.A. 1990. Cenozoic Mollusca of New Zealand. NZ Geological Survey
Paleontological Bulletin 58: 518 pp. (with drawings by R.C.Brazier).

Carter, R.M.; Naish, T.R. (ed.). 1999. The high resolution chronostratigraphic and sequence
stratigraphic record of the Plio-Pleistocene, Wanganui Basin, New Zealand. NZ Institute of
Geological & Nuclear Sciences Folio Series 2: folder with 2 wall charts.

Cox, L.R. 1960. General chacteristics of Gastropoda. In Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on invertebrate
paleontology, Part I, Mollusca 1: 184-11 69.

Fleming, C.A. 1953. The geology of Wanganui Subdivision, Waverley and Wanganui sheet districts
(N137 and N138). NZ Geological Survey Bulletin 52: 1-362.

Gill, B.J. 2006. A catalogue of moa eggs (Dinomithiformes). Records of the Auckland Museum 43:
55-80.

Morley, M.S. 2004. A photographic guide to seashells of New Zealand. New Holland Publishers
(NZ) Ltd, Auckland: 143 pp.

Powell, A.W.B. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, Auckland, Sydney, London: 500 pp.

Tennyson, A.J.D.; Worthy, T.H.; Jones, C.M.; Schofield, R.P.; Hand, S.J. 2010. Moa’s Arc:

Miocene fossils reveal the great antiquity of moa (Aves: Dinomithiformes) in Zealandia. Records of
the Australian Museum 62: 105-1 14.

Worthy, T.H.; Grant-Mackie, J.A. 2003. A Late Pleistocene avifauna from Cape Wanbrow, South
Island, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society ofNZ 33: 427-486.

12

Marjorie Mestayer (1880-1955) and her Molluscan Studies and
Collections

By Bruce W. Hayward and Margaret S. Morley

tin

Marjorie Mestayer was a significant figure in early 20 century New Zealand conchology, but it is
hard to find out much about her. No obituary appears to have been written (Bruce Marshall pers.
comm.), and we largely remember her from the molluscan, foraminiferal and ostracod species
named after her and the few molluscan species that she described that are still recognised as valid.

Maijorie was bom in England in 1 880 and migrated to Australia with her parents when she was 2.
They moved to Wellington when she was 12, where her father, Richard, was appointed engineer in
charge of the design and constmction of the city’s sewerage system. Richard Mestayer was also an
amateur naturalist with interests in things microscopic, like foraminifera. Undoubtedly his
enthusiasm for the natural world mbbed off on Marjorie, who was described by Henry Suter (1906,
p.322) as “our most enthusiastic conchologisf’ when he named Heliconiscus mestayerae (a junior
synonym of Cellana testudinaria) after her, with the type being “in Miss Marjorie K. Mestayer’ s
cabinef’.

Maijorie never married. In Wellington she lived most, if not all of her life in the family home in
Sydney St, Thomdon. She was appointed by the Dominion Museum as Conchologist from 1 May
1919 to 30 April 1932 (Bmce Marshall, pers. comm.) and died 7 Sept 1955 (Karori Cemetery
database). It appears that she was employed on contracts and at various times she obtained small
grants to undertake molluscan field work from the Wellington Philosophical Society and New
Zealand Institute. In June 1932 she wrote to Baden Powell (Auckland Museum archives MS 1562)
saying “I have been one of the retrenchment victims. Now I am trying to earn a little money by
making home-made sweets.”

The late Baden Powell and Dick Dell described her as “a rather large lady with a small head” that
they liked to play tricks on. One often repeated anecdote is of Baden and Dick sending her
specimens of a new shell-shaped dried pasta that appeared on the market asking for her opinion on
its identification. The story goes that she believed it to be a new species and prepared a description
and name for it, before the tricksters informed her of its real origin. We like to think that she knew
all along and was just going along with the joke.

While still a teenager, Maijorie started her molluscan interests, inspired by seashore forays led by
Sir James Hector (Anon, 1928). In 1897, her father as a member of the Wellington Philosophical
Society, “exhibited a collection of chitons found in Lyall Bay, named by Captain Hutton, and
collected by Miss Mestayer” at a society meeting (Transactions and Proceedings of the NZ Institute
30). Marjorie’s first publication was with mollusc expert Tom Iredale on shells also from
Wellington’s Lyall Bay (Iredale and Mestayer, 1906). The introduction to this report states “All the
larger shells were collected by Miss Mestayer, whilst the minute forms were sorted and identified
by Tom Iredale from shell-sand and seaweed-washings collected by Miss Mestayer.”

Marjorie furthered her studies by collecting shell sand from Wellington’s Titahi and Maheno Bays.
During these and other studies she clearly consulted widely and obtained the opinions on
identifications from most of Australasia’s leading conchologists of the early 20* century.
Presumably her father with his Philosophical Society connections helped her make many of these
acquaintances at an early age. They included Tom Iredale (Australian Museum), Henry Suter, J.
Allan Thomson, Walter (W.R.B.) Oliver, Jack Marwick (NZ Geological Survey), Baden (A.W.B.)

13

Powell, and even Charles Hedley (Australian Museum). She named species after all of these
gentlemen, except Iredale and Powell (see list below). Suter, Marwick, Powell and Iredale (named
4) also named species in her honour (see list), mostly specimens she had collected or had sent to
them.

Copies of some of Marjorie’s correspondence with Baden Powell (Auckland Museum conchologist)
are in the library of Auckland Museum and clearly show that the two had a friendly and mutually
beneficial relationship. Both loaned and donated specimens to each other and to their respective
museums. Initially Powell could not obtain the proceedings of the Malacological Society in
Auckland and Marjorie would send him her copies on loan. Each addressed each other in a formal
way, as they did in those days - “Dear Mr Powell”; “Dear Miss Mestayer”; but Maijorie signed her
letters less formally - “Yours gratefully”; “Best wishes to Mrs Powell and yourself from Your
grateful friend, Maijorie Mestayer”.

End of letter to Baden Powell, August 14**" 1930 (Auckland Museum Librarj)

Baden Powell always signed off “Yours sincerely”, although on one occasion he added “Trusting
that both mother and yourself are well and again thanking you for the use of the subantarctic
dredgings”.

Marjorie’s other major source of modem New Zealand shell specimens was from Captain John
Peter Bollons (1869-1929). He was a well-known mariner and captain of the government steamer
Hinemoa and later Tutanekai from 1898 to 1929. These ships sailed all around New Zealand's
coastline and its subantarctic dependencies, servicing lighthouses, maintaining navigation aids,
charting the coast, replenishing relief depots and conducting search and rescue missions. These
voyages enabled Bollons to pursue his interests in natural history and he had his own small
dredging apparatus for collecting seafloor samples (McLean, 2010).

Bollons supplied Marjorie Mestayer with sediment samples from many of his dredgings, especially
from around some of the offshore and outlying islands. At that time there were few “deep-water” or
offshore samples from such remote places as the Auckland Islands, Snares, Three Kings, North
Cape, Poor Knights, Great Barrier, Cuvier and Hen and Chickens Islands. Bollons’ dredgings
supplied the first specimens of many new-to-science mollusc species, some of which Maijorie
described and named (e.g. Mestayer, 1916, 1919) but many of which she gave to other colleagues to
describe (e.g. Powell, 1930, 1933) either as specimens she had separated out or as a split of her bulk
sediment samples.

The practice of sharing material and donating specimens between conchologists appears to have
been widespread (except with Harold Finlay) and it seems to ha\'e been accepted that if you named
and described a new species then the type was usually placed in your personal collection or that of
your local institution. Thus the types of many of Marjorie’s new species were said to be in her
collection, but these have since been transferred to the National Museum, now Te Papa. Nowadays
lodging types of a new species in a private collection is understandably not acceptable.

At the Dominion Museum, Maijorie was apparently a diligent and careful curator. Jack Marwick
(1929) said of her “The Dominion Museum specimens were prepared by Miss M. Mestayer with
great care, and thus were preserved many fragile specimens which would otherwise have been lost.”

14

Despite her position as Conchologist with the Dominion Museum, Marjorie was not terribly
productive in her molluscan taxonomic studies. Most of her publications make extensive references
to the opinions of other conchologists as to whether the taxa being described were separate new
species or not. Unlike most conchologists of her day, Marjorie was not a good artist and all her new
species were illustrated for her, mostly by Miss J.K. Allan of the Australian Museum, Sydney, but
some drawings she also acknowledged to Jack Marwick and Baden Powell.

Marjorie Mestayer’s significance to Auckland Museum lies in the number of specimens (>100) and
lots of shell sand (46 bulk lots) that she sent to Baden Powell, that are still housed in the Auckland
Museum Marine Department collections, some becoming the types of new species.

Mestayer’s taxonomic work was mainly divided between gastropods and chitons. She established
two genera —Mangonuia and Awarua both of which are now considered to be junior synonyms of
earlier described genera (see list).

Of the 8 chiton species she described, 3 (one fossil) are still considered to be valid. Nine (one fossil)
of the 1 8 gastropod species she described are still considered to be valid, but the two bivalve and
one scaphopod species she named are all now considered to be junior synonyms of earlier described
species (see list). Many of the species she described and named have proved to be junior synonyms
of others previously described, undoubtedly some of this was caused by the difficulty of obtaining
access to early literature at the time or the inadequacy of the early descriptions. One of the mollusc
species described by Marjorie {Hipponyx inexpectata) has proved to be the operculum of a
polychaete worm. Clearly at some stage, possibly as a youngster, Marjorie was not as careful with
her labelling as she might have been, as two species from her collection that were described as new
species with New Zealand type localities (one by Suter and one by her) have turned out to be
common tropical shells which clearly had incorrect locality data.

Of the 9 mollusc species named in honour of Marjorie (see list), 5 (one fossil) are still considered to
be valid - Parachiton mestayerae, Cumia mestayerae, Cyclochlamys mestayerae, Eulimella
mestayerae and Perrierina mestayerae.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Bruce Marshall and Alan Beu for their helpful suggestions and corrections to this
manuscript.

We also thank Elizabeth Lorimer and Martin Collett for providing access to the manuscripts and
letters archives in Auckland War Memorial Museum library.

SPECIES NAMED IN HONOUR OF MARJORIE MESTAYER

Lepidopleurus mestayerae Iredale. 1914. Still considered valid (pers. comm. B Marshall).
Parachiton mestayerae Iredale. 1914 fossil. Still considered valid.

Buccinulum strebeli mestayerae Powelh 1929 = Buccinulum vittatum (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)
Fusus mestayerae Iredale. 1915 = Cumia mestayerae (Iredale. 1915k Still considered valid.
Heliconiscus mestayerae Suter 1906 = Cellana testudinaria (Linnaeus, 1758)

Syrnola mestayerae Marwick, 1931 = Eulimella mestayerae (Marwick, 1931) fossil. Still
considered valid.

Cvclopecten mestayerae Dell 1956 = Cyclochlamys mestayerae (Dell, 1956). Still considered
valid.

Lima mestayerae Marwick, 1924; Hawkes Bay, Pleistocene = Lima zealandica Sowerby, 1876
Perrierina mestayerae Powell, 1933. Still considered valid.

15

MOLLUSC TAXA DESCRIBED BY MARJORIE MESTAYER

Genera

Awarua Mestayer, 1930 = Pseudotorinia Sacco, 1892

Mangonw/fl Mestayer, \9?>Q = Pseudomalaxis VischQv, 1885

Species

All types are now housed in Museum of New Zealand. All specimens originally lodged in the

Mestayer collection are now in the Museum of New Zealand.

Polvplacophora

Acanthochitona foveauxensis Mestayer, 1926 = Notoplax rubiginosa (Hutton, 1872), type from
Foveaux Strait.

Acanthochitona foveauxensis var. kirki Mestayer, 1926 = Notoplax rubiginosa (Hutton, 1872), type
from Foveaux Strait.

Callochiton kapitiensis Mestayer, 1926, type from Kapiti Island. Still considered valid.

Lorica haurakiensis Mestayer, 1921, types from 20 fms, off Kawau I (from A.E. Brookes). Still
considered valid.

Macandrellus oliveri Mestayer, 1926 = Notoplax rubiginosa (Hutton, 1872), types from 20 fms,
Hauraki Gulf, (from W.R.B. Oliver).

Plaxiphora (Maorichiton) lyallensis Mestayer, 1921 = Plaxiphora caelata (Reeve, 1847), type from
Lyall Bay, Wellington.

Rhyssoplax allanthomsoni Mestayer, 1929, type from Oligocene, Chatton. Still considered valid.

Rhyssoplax oliveri Mestayer, 1921= Rhyssoplax aerea (Reeve, 1847) types from Lyall Bay (from
W.R.B. Oliver).

Bivalvia

Pallium kapitiensis Mestayer, 1929 = Mesopeplum convexum (Quoy and Gaimard, 1835), type from
stomach of blue cod off Kapiti I. (from Watson Bros.).

Pecten (Cyclopecten) hinemoa Mestayer, 1927, holotype from off Big King (dredged by Hinemoa).
Still considered valid.

Gastropoda

Brookula rexensis Mestayer, 1927 = Brookula prognata (Finlay, 1926), holot}^e from 98 fins, off
Big King, Three Kings Is, in Mestayer collection.

Crossea cuvieriana Mestayer, 1919 = Crosseola cuvieriana (Mestayer, 1919), type from 38-40 fins,
Cuvier I. Still considered valid.

Damoniella alpha Mestayer, 1921 = Roxania alpha (Mestayer, 1921), type from early Miocene,
Blue Cliffs, South Canterbury (from J.A. Thomson). Still considered valid.

Discohelix hedleyi Mestayer, 1916 = Zerotula hedleyi (Mestayer, 1916), type from 98 fms. Big
King, Three Kings Is. Still considered valid.

Fusitriton futuristi Mestayer, 1927 = Fusitriton magellanicus laudandus Finlay, 1926, holotype
from 50-60 fins. Cape Campbell (from Mr H Hamilton from the Steam trawler Futurist).

Hipponyx inexpectata Mestayer, 1 929 = Invalid species, as it is the operculum of a polychaete
worm (Dell, 1956, p.72), type from off Big King, 98 fins, in Mestayer collection.

Leucosyrinx cuvieriensis Mestayer, 1919 = Terefundus cuvieriensis (Mestayer, 1919), types from
38-40 fins, Cuvier I. Still considered valid.

Leucosyrinx thomsoni Mestayer, 1919 = Taranis nexilis bicarinata (Suter, 1915), t>pes from 25-26
fms, Hen and Chickens Is.

Liotia suteri Mestayer, 1919 = Munditia suteri (Mestayer, 1919), type from 70 fins. Bounty Is. Still
considered valid.

16

Mangonuia bollonsi Mestayer, 1930 = Pseudomalaxis zanclaeus meridionalis (Hedley, 1903), types
from 75 fms, off North Cape, in Mestayer collection.

Monodonta lugubris var, albina Mestayer, 1 927 = Diloma bicaniculata (Dunker, 1 844), holotype
from Lyall Bay, in Mestayer collection.

Montfortula lyallensis Mestayer, 1928 = Montfortula rugosa (Quoy and Gaimard, 1834), holotype
from Lyall Bay, in Mestayer collection.

Orbitestella hinemoa Mestayer, 1919, types from 50 fms. Snares Is. Still considered valid.
Scissurella regia Mestayer, 1916 =Anatomia regia (Mestayer, 1916) holotype from 98 fms, off Big
King, Three Kings Is, in Mestayer collection. Still considered valid.

Triviella gamma Mestayer, 1927 = Trivea pediculus (Linnaeus, 1758), holotype said to be from Bay
of Islands, in Mestayer collection; but not a NZ shell, instead it is this common species from the
Caribbean (Powell, 1979, p.l52).

Triviella maoriensis Mestayer, 1927 = Trivea merces (Iredale, 1924), holotype from Reef Pt,
Ahipara (from Dr Bucknill) in Mestayer collection.

Typhis pauperis Mestayer, 1916 = Monstrotyphis pauperis (Mestayer, 1916), holotype from 60 fms.
Poor Knights, Mestayer collection. Still considered valid.

Veprecula cooperi Mestayer, 1919, type from 25-30 fms. Hen and Chickens Is. Still considered
valid.

Scaphopoda

Dentalium marwicki Mestayer, 1926 ^Antalis nana (Hutton, 1873), types from Pliocene,
Castlecliff, Wanganui.

OTHER SPECIES WITH TYPE SPECIMENS FROM MARJORIE MESTAYER
COLLECTIONS

Polvplacophora

Chiton huttoni Suter, 1906 = Rhyssoplax aerea (Suter, 1906); Lyall Bay.

Bivalvia

Arthritica crassiformis Powell, 1933; Maheno Bay, Wellington.

Dosinia maoriana Oliver, 1923; Elmsie Bay, Marlborough Sounds.

Perrierina mestayerae Powell, 1933; 50 frns. Snares Is (Capt. Bollons).

Gastropoda

Acmea parviconoidea nigrostella Suter, 1907 = Notoacmea parviconoidea (Suter, 1907); Titahi
Bay.

Heliconiscus mestayerae Suter, 1906 = Cellana testudinaria (Linneaus, 1758); said to be Stewart
Island, but clearly from Indo-Pacific (Iredale, 1915).

Legrandina aucklandica Powell, 1933; beach drift. Faith Hbr, Auckland Is (Capt. Bollons).
Macquariella aucklandica Powell, 1933 = Laevilitorina aucklandica (Powell, 1933); beach drift,
Faith Hbr, Auckland Is (Capt. Bollons).

Ovirissoa delli Ponder, 1968 = Onoba delli (Ponder, 1968); Lyall Bay

Rissoa {Cingula) lampra Suter, 1908 = Eatoniella lampra (Suter, 1908); Titahi Bay.

Rissoa {Cingula) roseocincta Suter, 1908 = Eatoniella roseocincta (Suter, 1908); Titahi Bay.

Rissoa {Setia) infecta Suter, 1908 = Pusillina infecta (Suter, 1908); Lyall Bay, Wellington.

Rissoella flemingi Ponder, 1968; Lyall Bay, Wellington.

Subonoba delicatula Powell, 1933 = Onoba delicatula (Powell, 1933); beach drift. Faith Hbr,
Auckland Is (Capt. Bollons).

Subonoba tenuistriata Powell, 1933 = Onoba tenuistriata (Powell, 1933); 95 frns, Auckland Is.
Tasmalira wellingtonense Dell, 1956 = Tasmalira vitrea (Suter, 1908); Lyall Bay.

Terebra tristis crassicostata Suter, 1909 = Pervicacia tristis (Deshayes, 1859); Lyall Bay.

17

PUBLICATIONS OF MARJORIE MESTAYER

Iredale, T., Mestayer, M.K. 1907. List of Marine MoUusca from Lyall Bay, near Wellington, New
Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 40: 410-414.

Mestayer, M.K. 1916. Preliminary list of Mollusca from dredgings taken off the northern coasts of
New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 48: 122-128.

Mestayer, M.K. 1918. A Note on the young stages of Astraea heliotropium (Martyn). Transactions
and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 50: 191-192.

Mestayer, M.K. 1918. The occasional occurence of Australian and South Sea island molluscs in
New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Science 1: 102-104

Mestayer, M. K. 1919. New species of Mollusca, from various dredgings taken off the coast of New
Zealand, the Snares Islands, and the Bounty Islands. Transactions and Proceedings of the New
Zealand Institute 130-135.

Mestayer, M.K. 1 920. Note on the habit of the chiton Cryptoconchus porosus (Burrow). New
Zealand Journal of Science 2: 117-118.

Mestayer, M.K. 1920. A note on Pleurobranchaea novae-zelandiae Cheeseman. New Zealand
Journal of Science 2\ 170-171

Mestayer, M.K. 1920. Note on the spawn-coils of Kerguelenia obliquata (Sowerby). New Zealand
Journal of Science 2: 171-172.

Mestayer, M.K. 1921. The occurrence of Cylichnella arachis (Q. & G.) in New Zealand waters.

New Zealand Journal of Science 3: 303-304.

Mestayer, M.K. 1921. Some notes on the habits and uses of the toheroa. New Zealand Journal of
Science and Technology 4: 84-85.

Mestayer, M.K. 1921 . Notes on New Zealand Mollusca: No.l, Descriptions of three new species of
Polyplacophora, and of Damoniella alpha. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand
Institute 53: 176-180.

Mestayer, M.K. 1921 . Notes on New Zealand Mollusca: No. 2. Transactions and Proceedings of the
New Zealand Institute 53: 180.

Mestayer, M.K. 1924. Note on Verconella dilatata. New Zealand Journal of Science 6: 341.

Mestayer, M.K. 1926. Notes on New Zealand Mollusca: No. 3. Transactions and Proceedings of the
New Zealand Institute 56: 583-587.

Mestayer, M.K. 1927. Some New Zealand Mollusca (New and renamed species). Proceedings of
the Malacological Society of London 17: 185-190.

Mestayer, M.K. 1928. A note on Sigapatella terraenovae Peile. A new Montfortula. Transactions
and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 59: 622-624.

Mestayer, M.K. 1929. Notes on New Zealand Mollusca. No.4. Transactions and Proceedings of the
New Zealand Institute 60: 247-250.

Mestayer, M.K. 1930. Notes on New Zealand Mollusca No. 5. Transactions and Proceedings of the
New Zealand Institute 61: 144-146.

OTHER REFERENCES

Anon. 1928. Sea shore shells. NZ Truth, 6 Dec 1928, p.l7.

Dell, R.K. 1956. The archibenthal Mollusca of New Zealand. Dominion Museum Bulletin 18, 235p.
McLean, G. 2010. Bollons, John Peter, 1869-1929. Mariner, Naturalist, Ethnographer, Collector.
Biography. Dictionary of NZ Biography. Te Arai the Encyclopedia of NZ. URL:
http : //www. T e Ara. go vt .nz/en/biographies/3 b40/ 1
Marwick, J. 1929. Tertiary molluscan fauna of Chatton, Southland. Transactions and Proceedings
of the New Zealand Institute 59: 903-934.

Pow^ell, A.W.B. 1930. New species of New Zealand Mollusca from shallow- w^ater dredgings.

Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 61: 536-546.

Powell, A.W.B. 1933. New species of marine Mollusca from the Subantarctic Islands of New
Zealand. Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London 20: 232-236.

18

Powell, A.W.B. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, Auckland, 500 p.

Suter, H. 1906. Notes on New Zealand Mollusca, with descriptions of new species and subspecies.
Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 38: 316-333.

LjOW many . women, once -havlnB. survived .the .experience

of boinK'dhased out of ‘ a’ poT)l ’.by a lart^e and Indignant
octopuB, would £0 back and ask tor more?

Few arid far between such hardy ladles may be. but
M 1 38 . Marjorie Mestiiycr, who has charge of the Concho-
loglcal Department at the Dominion MuBcum, holda that
such little incidents are purl of the day’s work and that,
anyhow, the octopus probably felt w'orae about It than she
did.

For many "years. Miss Me^tayer has hunted • shells,
waded • for shells, cleaned sheila, classified shells, and In
irenoral fitted herself for the post which she now occupies
— that of the only woman conchologlcal expert in the
Dominion.

She was ^iven her present post at the Museum several
J'cars back, mainly because Wellington could at that time
produce no man who knew much more about ehells than
that they were curious things found on beaches. But even
before ' her appointment to the Museum staff, Miss Mea-
taycr had been sent on several shell-hunting exi>edlUons
throughout the North island by the Government, and had
brought back important collections.

Sir Jnmea Hector, who wag the firet director of the
Dominion Museum, started Miss Mestayer off along Iho
shelly track. Around Island and Dyall B.iya began ramb-
ling expedition.^, when the queer treasure trovo of the sea-
floor wero brought, much against their own inclination,
to light.

Horny, old limpets clung fast to thdr rocks, octopl pro-
teatod as best’ they might against Intrusions on tbclr
privacy, b\u Miss Mestaycr'e collection kept on growing,
and. her knowledge of shell-science grew with It,

Mias ■ Mestayer, In her leisure momenta, is aa nearly
aquatic as a human being can be. 'I'he rock-combing ex-
peditions * need an Informal costume of bathing suit and
.stout shoes — the latter being for the discouragement of
finy small octopus who muy look upon feminine ankles oa
.a lunch prospect.

"Ixiok through the microscope at this tube.” says Mias
Megtayer. A glance reveals hundreds of tiny sheila— the
daddy of them all lees than a quarter of an Inch across —
yet gleaming Avlth different colors and twisted Into a mul-
titude of delicate shapes.

To contrast with these, a huge mussel, twelve Inches
•long, la produced from a show case; or some, fan shells —
,ihe same that ancient pilgrims wore in their hats to prove
that they had visited 'the Holy Hand — 'arc shown in slices
which w'ould do excellently for soup plates.

Four glass showcases 'are given over to a picturesque
copy of sea-bottom — some of ft shallow, as in the little
pink rock pools where our aand-bables scarcely have room
to dabble their tews, the rest green nnd mysterious, as the
world must look at fifty. fathoms deep.

Item from NZ Truth, 6 December 1928

19

Bet>veen The Tides: Beachcombing Muriwai and Rangatira Beaches

by Michael K. Eagle

Muriwai Beach is a resilient space, always reverberating with the incessant smashing of surf on
coastal rocks or surf upon the long, black titanomagnetite beach. Ousting wind and swirling sand
drive spinnifex seed heads along it, and from time to time the rusting carcass of a dead vehicle
protrudes from the tidal-zone. There are various iconic images about Muriwai such as the Miocene
sandstone cliffs of Motutara, the onshore gannet colony, surf-fishing (with kites, torpedoes, and
rods), para-water-skiing, land yacht sailing, surfmg and beachcombing for buoys, fishing floats.
Whale bone and molluscs. Pig (Sus scrofa) and Fallow Deer (Cervus dama damn) or their footprints
are sometimes seen when animals leave Woodhill Forest. More often than not, dead animals (seals,
sea-snakes, turtles, various sea-birds, fish, whales) are encountered as are the overboard flotsam
debris of foreign fishing boats and container vessels. Holed nets, ropes, wood, glass bottles, product
stamps, plastic pellets and containers of various descriptions (many covered in goose-bamacles
{Lepas anatiferd)), some also on wood (logs, posts and planks) are cast ashore as beach-drift.

A 40 km journey up both Muriwai and Rangatira Beaches in a neighbour’s 1960 short-wheel-base.
Land Rover between (low (1432 hrs) and high (0822 hrs)) tides on 12/13 August 2011,
beachcombing for ambergris reaped many surprises. As well as some of those already mentioned: a
20 mm cannon ‘shell’ (A Royal New Zealand Air Force Skyhawk remnant?), 303, 243 and 30-06
(hunting rifle) brass cartridge cases, a piece of Kauri gum, four coconuts, a Samoan breadfruit seed,
many corks, a Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) flipper bone, a dead Fur Seal pup
{Arctocephalus forsteri), many dead Broad-billed Prions (Pachyptila vittata vittatd) three dead
Gannets {Morus serrator), several dead Paddle Crabs (Ovalipes catharus), and two dead Porcupine
fish (Allomycterus jaculiferus) were recorded. Amphipods scavenged beneath dead animals and the
Bull Kelp {Durvillia antarctica), but no flies were seen, probably because of the cold, blustery (yet
sunny) conditions of the day. Of note is that no limpets, sea-stars or jellyfish were seen, though
some large barnacles {Balanus decorus), and sections of snapper biscuits {Fellaster zelandiae)
were.

Washed-up coconuts. Porcupine fish.

Rusted vehicle remains.

20

Small clusters of birds standing above the wash zone included: Caspian Terns {Hyroprogne caspia).
Variable Oystercatchers (Haematopus unicolor) probing for worms, Red-billed Gulls (Larus
novaehollandiae scopulinus), Dominican Gulls {Larus dominicanus), several Pied Shags
{Palacrocorax varius), and a lone New Zealand Black-browed Mollymawk {Diomedea
melanophyrs impavidd). In several places gannets were fishing in and beyond the breakers.

Also of interest was a single Katipo spider {Latrodectus katipo) found living on an old salt-laden
driftwood pine tree. Many Toheroa siphon holes were spotted covering three beds spread some
considerable distance apart up the beach. Numbers did not seem great. A green phytoplankton scum
lined the tide line.

^ Muriwai and the more northern Rangitira Beach (joined together as one) are dominated by bivalves,
mainly: archetypical surf clams: the mactrids Mactra discors Gray, 1837, and Crassula aequilatera
(Deshayes in Reeve, 1854) are most common, as is the Toheroa Paphies ventricosa (Gray, 1843),

• but not so Zenatia {Zenatia) acinaces (Quoy and Gaimard, 1835) of which only two specimens
were found some distance apart. In many places Peronaea gaimardi (Iredale, 1915) and
Austrodosinia anus (Philippi, 1848) are also abundant, with many juveniles washed-up, perhaps
denoting healthy populations off-shore. Large (up to three times the size of Recent specimens)
intact and partially broken valves of Toheroa shells (c.dated:1000 years ± 100 years), exhumed
from several beach localities (part of an old paleo-shoreline) were also collected. The purple tellinid
Hiatula nitida (Gray, 1843) is common, but valves are rarely conjoined, with one usually broken
away from the beak. It is presumed living off-shore, as is Struthiolaria {Struthiolaria) papulosa
(Martyn, 1784). Hiatella arctica (Linnaeus, 1767) was collected from the hold fasts of dead and
drying Bull Kelp, but a few valves were seen amongst the debris on past high-tide lines. An entire,
desiccated specimen of the callochitinid Eudoxochiton nobilis (Gray in Dieffenbach, 1 843),
shattered pieces of Haliotis iris (Gmelin, 1791), and the turbinid Cookia sulcata (Gmelin, 1791), is
the expected evidence of a rocky coastline community to the south of Muriwai Beach, between
Motutara and Anawhata.

The occurrence of the common cockle Austrovenus stuchburyi (Gray in Wood, 1 828) is explained
as either outwash (dead-bloated and drifting) from the Manukau or Kaipara Harbours (like the
mangrove seeds found), or small populations (small-sized) living in shallow troughs and/or holes
sub-tidally. The other venerid, Austrodosinia anus probably lives there too. Cemented oyster shells
of Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) and Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) as well as the
common scallop Pecten novaezelandiae Reeve, 1853 may have also been tidally carried out of the
harbours and deposited on the beach by long-shore current drift or storm action. There is little
prospect of the scallop being able to live epi-faunally in such a tumultuous ecological niche, and
little attachment for oysters. A number of Alcithoe {Alcithoe) arabica (Gmelin, 1791) from the
inner shelf were noted (mainly 'swainsoni motutaraensis' Powell, 1928 forms) complimenting a
number of seemingly small, but persistent beds of Panopea zelandica (Quoy and Gaimard, 1 835). A
single middle to outer shelf neptunid Ranella olearium Linaeus, 1758, was a surprise discovery.

21

Mactra, Crassula, and Austrodosina

Muriwai Beach

Most of the gastropods found were
damaged, having been driven upon the
shore from a benthic repose within a
high-energy environment including
the storm base. Only five gastropods
were found intact: the monoplane
structure of Scutus breviculus
(Blainville, 1817); the robust, helical
form and strengthened pustule ribbed
Calliostoma (Maurea) selectum
(Dillwyn, 1817); a juvenile
{Semicassis) pyrum (Lamarck, 1 822)
with an epibiotant sand worm casing
which probably aided stability by
giving more weight to the shell; semi-
pelagic ocean wanderers Janthina
exigua Lamark, 1 822 and Janthina
janthina Linnaeus, 1758; and the
spine-stabilised muricid Poirieria
zelandica (Quoy and Gaimard, 1833).

The record here-in of one of the
largest cuttle-fish in the world, the
giant Australian Sepia apamal Gray,

1 849 is based on the large size of the
internal ‘float’. However, it may
simply represent an extraordinarily
oversized Sepia officinalis Linnaeus,
1758 found common cosmopolitan.
The other cephalopod found Spirula
spirula Linnaeus, 1758 with
segmented internal buoyancy
chambers arranged in a decoiled
spiral, cluttered successive tide lines
the entire length of the beach, the
remains of hundreds of individuals
with a nektic lifestyle and
cosmopolitan distribution.

Rangatira Beach

22

A systematic list of molluscan species recorded
on the day is annotated below.

Taxonomy and nomenclature follows that of:
Maxwell, P. In: Gordon D. P. (Editor) 2009. New
Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity: Volume One,
Kingdom Animalia, Radiata, Lophotrochozoa,
Dueterostomia. Canterbury University Press:
232-254; and Morton, J. with Hayward, B. W.
(Science.editor) 2004. Seashore Ecology of New
Zealand and the Pacific. David Bateman: 504p.

POLYPLACOPHORA

ISCHNOCHITONIDAE Eudoxochiton nobilis (Gray in Dieffenbach, 1843)

BIVALVIA

MYTILIDAE

OSTREIDAE

PECTINIDAE

MACTRIDAE

MESOMESMATIDAE

PSAMMOBIIDAE

TELLINIDAE

VENEROIDAE

HIATELLIDAE

Perna canaliculus (Gmelin, 1791)

Crassostrea gigas (J]mribQvg, 1793)

Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850)

Pecten novaezelandiae Reeve, 1853
Mactra discors Gray, 1837
Crassula aequilatera (Deshayes in Reeve, 1854)
Zenatia (Zenatia) acinaces (Quoy and Gaimard, 1835)
Paphies ventricosa (Gray, 1843)

Hiatula nitida (Gray, 1843)

Peronaea gaimardi (Iredale, 1915)

Austrovenus stuchburyi (Gray in Wood, 1828)
Austrodosinia anus (Philippi, 1848)

Hiatella arctica (Linnaeus, 1767)

Panopea zelandica (Quoy and Gaimard, 1835)

GASTROPODA

HALIOTIDAE

FISSURELLIDAE

CALLISTOMATIIDAE

TURBINIDAE

STRUTHIOLARIIDAE

CASSIDAE

RANELLIDAE

JANTHINIDAE

BUCCINIDAE

MURICIDAE

VOLUTIDAE

Haliotis iris (Gmelin, 1791)

Scutus breviculus (Blainville, 1817)

Calliostoma (Maurea) selectum (Dillwyn, 1817)
Cookia sulcata 1791)

Struthiolaria (Struthiolaria) papulosa (Martyn, 1784)
Semicassis (Semicassis) pyrum (Lamarck, 1 822)
Ranella olearium Linaeus, 1758
Janthina exigua Lamark, 1 822
Janthinajanthina Linnaeus, 1758
Austrofusus (Austrofusus) glans (Roding, 1798)
Cominella (Cominella) maculosa (Martyn, 1784)
Penion sulcatus (Lamarck, 1816)

Poirieria zelandica (Quoy and Gaimard, 1833)
Dicathais orbita (Gmelin, 1791)

Alcithoe (Alcithoe) arabica (Gmelin, 1791)

CEPHALOPODA

SEPIIDAE Sepia apamal Gray, 1 849

SPIRULIDAE Spirula spirulalAmi?iQ\is, 1758

23

Manukau Harbour Mollusc Survey, 1952 to 1963

Margaret S. Morley , Bruce W. Hayward and Ken Hipkins
^Auckland War Memorial Museum, Private Bag 93018, Auckland,
^ Geomarine Research, 49 Swainston Rd, St Johns, Auckland,
Deceased

Summan'

We present the results of an unpublished molluscan surv^ey of the Manukau Harbour by members of
the Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum and Institute from 1952-1963. One hundred and
forty-four mollusc species (8 Polyplacophora, 44 Bivalvia, 1 Scaphopoda, 95 Gastropoda, 1
Cephalopoda) are recorded. Twenty-five additional species (1 Polyplacophora, 3 Bivalvia and 21
Gastropoda) from Whatipu, north Manukau Heads and Wattle Bay, near south Manukau Heads, are
also included. These were not listed in the unpublished book of Manukau Harbour records but were
mostly sourced from separate lists by Albert H. Jones (unpublished 1952). A few other additions
came from old Conchology Section newsletters. Most specimens were intertidal but some of the
specimens were dredged or taken by SCUBA, these are marked in the species list with an asterix.
Hulme (1959) recorded details of a dredging trip in 1961 comprising 22 stations in the Manukau
Harbour betw^een Weymouth and Whatipu. Bottom profiles were made, in depths of 6-30 m. Only a
few molluscs were found, this was thought to be due to adverse conditions in the channel caused by
strong tidal currents. Notes on the observers whose records make up the book are included where
known.

Species recorded in the historical survey of the Manukau Harbour but apparently not present there
today are Semicassis pyrum, Tonna tankervillii, Zelippistes benhami, Trichosirius inornatus,
Charonia lampas, Alcithoe arabica, and Boreoscala zelebori. Norman Douglas’s large Manukau
Harbour collection from the 1950-60s shows that today’s fauna is less diverse, and specimens are
significantly smaller. We expect to publish further detailed comparision between species in the
1950’s survey and today when the current survey is completed.

Introduction

In the 1950s and early 1960s members of the Conchology Section of Auckland Institute and
Museum undertook a significant surv^ey of the molluscs of the Manukau Harbour and the results
were typed up as species records in a special book set aside for the purpose. This book has been
missing for many years, though an old photograph shows it being presented by the Conchology
Section to the Auckland Museum Institute, probably in the 1970s. The book, which cost 12
shillings, consists of 150 typed sheets (Fig. 1). It w'as rediscovered, rather appropriately, on the 80th
anniversary of the Conchology Section in October 2010 by librarian Gladys Goulstone and one of
the authors (MSM) while looking through old papers in the Shell Club library. There was much
rejoicing as it contains a valuable snapshot of molluscs present at that time. Since then other
Manukau Harbour documents have been tracked down adding species not in the book.

Species list

Although not stated, the compiler of the book was almost certainly Ken Hipkins as revealed in an
old unpublished account of a members’ trip to Te Tau Bank in 1961. “This list is from Mrs Morgan,
Mr and Mrs Barker and Mrs Seagar. We hope that a complete list will be given to Mr Hipkins to
add to the list already compiled for the Manukau Surv^ey.” Ida Worthy w^as secretary^ at the time and
Alma Morgan was the assistant secretary, they probably assisted Ken. He was president of the
Conchology Section from 1958 to 1961 (Poirieria 50* Anniversary edition). His name figures
prominently in the list of observ^ers in the book.

24

14

MAMUKAU H.4RB0TvP ST-Vrir OMLIUBCAN SPECIES.
OSTREIDAE.

Ostrea linnaeus, 175^ (O- edulus Linn), LOCALITY: WATTLE BAY, NEAR
sinuata laitark, lbl9. SOUTH HEAD.

Habitat: on flat shelving sand near 26th, Dec, 1952.

low water.

Ostrea sin\iata Lamark, 1H19.
Habitat : on sandy mud low water.

Habitat: on sand, near low tid
mark, alive

Habitat : attached to reef near
lo'.. water.

Habitat: on muddy bottom at

low tide mark. observed

LOCALITY; TE TAU BANK
2nd, jan, 1953*

Observed : by W. nu P. Thonson.

LOCALITY: CORNWALLIS BEACH. 24th Nov,
observed by A. H. Jones. 1953»

LOCALITY: BETWEEN MILL BAY & PxiRAU.
observed by W. m. P. Thomson,

26th, Sept J.953

LOCALITY: JENKINS BAY TITIRANGI.
by W.m. P. Thomson. 20th, Sept, 1952

Habitat: on mud mid tide.

LOCALITY: MILL BAY NEAR ONEHUNGA WHARF.

observed by A. H. Jones. 7th, L!ay, 1953»

Habitat :

Habitat:

dead sp, washed ashore, LOCALITY : ONEHUNGA BEACH 6: PORL SHORE, TO,
and on mud-flat. observed by W. Lee-Pike. CLIPS AT PAR END.

21st, Nov 1953»

sandy mua,aliTe. IOCALITY:inain KABORE BAHK.

observed by Mr A. h. White.

lifth Feb, 1954.

Fig. 1. Sample page from the survey book p.l4.

The pages of the book have been numbered to allow a computer file of the contents to be made,
including an index. Where the book does not indicate whether the species was alive or dead, we
have assumed it was dead. A few comments e.g. common, are recorded in the species list, but there
is insufficient abundance data to use statistically or for direct comparision with localities today.
Species names have been up-dated to Spencer et al. (2010), (see species list). It is interesting to note
that many names in use then are the current names now, despite having undergone changes in the
interim e.g. the date mussel Zelithophaga truncata at the time of the survey and today, but
Lithophaga truncata for a period in between.

Localities (Fig. 2)

These include the north coast from Whatipu to the Upper Manukau Harbour at Onehunga and to
Wattle Bay near the south heads. It must be remembered that the winding metalled roads at that
time made getting to localities slower and more difficult than on today’s sealed roads. Habitat
details, not included here, are given in the book, e.g. The small narrow limpet Notoacmea scapha
lived on the leaves of the sea grass Zostera, pipi Paphies australis was buried just under the sand
surface and the gastropod Trichosirius inornatus (Fig. 3) was living on the spiny tubeworm
Spirobranchus cariniferus.

25

Te Tau Bank, situated offshore bet\\’een Cornwallis and Laingholm, was a popular location, i

members visited it by launch four times betw'een 1953 and 1963 (see the original article in this
issue). It had a rich fauna including the helmet shell Semicassis pyrum, trumpet shell Ranella ^

australasia and hairy trumpet Cymatium parthenopeum. |

Although listed separately, Jenkins Bay, Titirangi, and “end of School Road” are the same location, |
the road has since been renamed South Titirangi Road. Mill Bay to Parau and Mill Bay to Big
Muddy are also the same location. One location called “Mill Bay, near Onehunga wharf’, does not
appear on any recent, or historical maps. It seems likely that it was a locally used name. The only I

Mill Bay today is north of Cornwallis, it was near the location of the first steam-driven mill in New |

Zealand. Extensive development for the south-western motorway since the survey has reclaimed the j
major part of Onehunga Bay. Further reclamation is currently being planned.

I

26

Fig. 3. Species recorded in the 1950s-60s survey of the Manukau Harbour, apparently not present
today. Semicassis pyrum, Tonna tankervillii Zelippistes benhami, Trichosirius inornatus, Charonia
lampas, Alcithoe arabica, Boreoscala zelebori.

Observers (see Table 1)

Although most observers of each species are recorded, few Christian names are given. Bulletin
numbers 8-17 published from 1952-1961 by the Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum
include lists of members which have been used to confirm gender, spelling and initials. Bulletins
were journals published before Poirieria. Problems arise because, following the custom of the day,
the wife used her husband’s initials. For example W.P. Thomson may mean either husband or wife
as they were both members.

The observer is recorded for most locations but not all. The most frequent observers were Mr and
Mrs Thomson, Ken Hipkins, William Lee-Pike and Albert Jones.

27

The following are snippets of information that have been traced or remembered. Please contact the
authors if you know of any corrections or additions.

Ken Hipkins was president of the Section from 1957-61, he was a frequent author in several
Bulletins and many newsletters (e.g. Hipkins 1957, 1958).

Albert Jones was also a knowledgeable contributor to the Bulletins and newsletters (Jones
unpublished 1953). He gave a talk to the Conchology Section on collecting at Whatipu and wrote
notes and species lists of his collecting (Jones 1953). He was also a keen fisherman.

Arthur White came from Howick, selected specimens from his extensive collection are in the
Auckland War Memorial Museum marine collections (Morley et al. 2001).

Syd Hulme was a keen schoolboy member, who later became a micropaleontology technician in the
Geological Survey, Lower Hutt, where he was tragically drowned in 1962 while testing his own
design of underwnter breathing equipment in Wellington Harbour (Homibrook, 1962). He gave the
Conchology Section talks, e.g. sample plotting and methods of housing collections (unpublished).
Bill Rudman, w^ell known for his wnrk on Opisthobranchs, is currently a senior molluscan
researcher at the Australian Museum, Sydney.

The late Norman Gardner was a long time member of the Conchology Section. With his wife, Noel,
he wns co-editor of Poirieria (1952-1981) and President of the Conchology Section (1954-1956),
(Morley et al. 2009).

Stan Turner lives at Mount Albert where he still cares for his shell collection. The Turner family
have owned a bach at Huia for 34 years. Stan used to work for Turners and Growers in the
Auckland markets. He haunted the trawler berths nearby every day to ask the skippers for shells.
Stan, Baden Pownll and Norm Gardner used to go on shelling trips together. He has vivid memories
of the millions of Zethalia zelandica on the Te Tau Bank. He used to exchange shells with the
owners of the Paua house in Bluff.

Alma Morgan wns a keen out of town member who attended field trips and contributed to the
Bulletins. She wns assistant secretary of the club.

Mrs Joyce Wyatt lived at Mt Eden wLere she had a big collection, w^hich she later presented to the
club. It was sold at auction and used to finance a special memorial Bulletin.

Mr and Mrs W.P. Thomson lived in the Bay of Plenty. Nancy Smith has some of his shell cabinets
w’hich he made himself Some deep-wnter shells in his collection came from Mt. Maunganui
trawlers.

Albert Brooke’s colleetion

It is thought that some Manukau survey specimens were put in the Albert Brookes collection, which
was purchased by the Conchology Section after his death in 1955. Albert, a Matamata farmer, was
an avid collector of both molluscs and Coleoptera beetles. He described and illustrated some new
beetle species. DSIR purchased his insect collection for $1000. His New Zealand shells were
housed in the Conchology Section meeting room at the Auckland War Memorial Museum for many
years, where they w^ere made available to members (Derrick Crosby pers. comm.). When this room
succumbed to museum redevelopment in 1989, this collection was auctioned by the Section (Nancy
Smith pers. comm.). The family presented over 3000 overseas molluscan lots from the Brookes
collection, including 5 holotypes, and over 2000 land snails to the Auckland Museum. Only 6
Manukau Harbour lots from the Brookes collection show in Auckland Museum computer searches,
more may be present but have not yet been put into the database.

Identification problems

Not many of the specimens from the survey are available to confirm doubtful identifications.

It is occasionally stated in the book that a specimen is in a member’s collection but most of these
have long become untraceable. Of those knowTi, Ken Hipkins’ extensive collection was sent to
Winston Ponder at the Australian Museum and Loma Seagar’s collection w^ent to Derrick Crosby.
Several species cannot be identified with certainty because research since the 1950s has described
new species. The small limpet identified in the book as Notoacmea helmsi is now interpreted as a

28

synonym of N. elongata; or the survey specimen may be a recently described species, N. potae
which is recorded from Cornwallis by Nakano et al. (2009).

Marshall (1998) has resurrected from synonomy the name Cantharidus huttonii for the small
trochid in sheltered locations with C. tenebrosus living on more open coasts. Since the survey
specimens were found within a harbour, the commoner C. huttonii seems the more logical choice.
The slipper limpet known then as Maoricrypta monoxyla has since been split by Marshall (2003)
into M. sodalis, living within a gastropod shell inhabited by a hermit crab, and M monoxyla
retained for the species attached to the outside of shells. Judging from the habitat descriptions it
appears both species were present.

The small slug Melanochlamys sp.(as Aglaja n.sp.) found by Ken Hipkins at Mill Bay crawling
among sea grass Zoster a in 1 954, is especially intriguing. Since the animal of the commoner species
M. cylindrica is black, did Ken find the pale species M. lorrainae which was not described until
1968 (Rudman 1968)? Both these Melanochlamys species have similar, fragile internal shells rarely
. seen in collections. The pale species, not seen for 40 years, was rediscovered in 2006 at Wattle Bay
near the South Manukau Heads. Molecular analysis confirms that M cylindrica and M. lorrainae
are genetically distinct (Krug et. al. 2008).

The identity of the nudibranch listed as Aeolidia gracilis from Jenkins Bay, Titirangi, remains
unclear. This species is recorded by Powell (1979, p 290) as Aeolis gracilis, which is no longer
recognised. Bright red tentacles and papillae, prominently tipped with white are part of Kirk’s
original description, this might correspond with what we now call Phidiana milleri (Richard Willan
pers. comm.) which is known today from Paratutae, Whatipu.

Changes since 1950s

Some species in the 1950s- 1960s survey have not been found by us living in the Manukau Harbour
during our surveys since 2000. These include the helmet shell Semicassis pyrum, trumpet shell
Charonia lampas, vohxXQ Alcithoe arabica, wentletrap Boreoscala zelebori, Zelippistes benhami and
Trichosirius inornata (Fig. 3). A total of twelve specimens of Charonia lampas (both rubicunda and
capax forms) are recorded as being collected below low tide off Puponga Point between 1954 and
1958. One measured 190 mm by 133 mm (Jones 1958).

One major agent of change has been the arrival of the introduced Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas
(Dinamani 1971), (Fig. 4). The oyster is now a dominant species initially attaching to intertidal rock
or cockle shells. When it is well established, dead shells become scattered across previously sandy
beaches, providing more attachment for the oysters. Residents at Waikowhai recall running and
s-wimming as children at a sandy beach, which is now covered in sharp oyster shells. Wherever the
oysters C. gigas grow in profusion they are accumulating mud around them and are thus
contributing to further environmental changes and reduced clean intertidal habitat for other species
(Hayward 1997).

Fig. 4 Introduced species that have arrived in the Manukau Harbour since the 1950’s.

29

As well as the Pacific oyster the introduced Asian mussel Musculista senhousia and the small
semelid bivalve Theora lubrica (Fig. 4) have also arrived in the Manukau Harbour since the 1950s-
60s survey (pers. obs.). Thickets of M. senhousia accumulate mud which temporarily smothers
extensive areas of low tidal and shallow subtidal areas (Hayward 1997). After two years the
mussels die, the mat breaks up and the next recruitment often establishes elsewhere.

Other reasons for changes in the fauna are complex, probably a combination of several factors. Fine
silt run-off from land development smothers marine fauna, heavy metals in road run-off affects
mollusc health. The biocide tributyl tin (TBT) was widely used as an antifouling paint for the hulls
of ships and pleasure craft until it was banned in 1989. Research shows that TBT causes imposex,
which in severe cases prevents reproduction, particularly in neogastropods (Stewart et al. 1992).
Dramatic impacts have been shown in the Waitemata Harbour on Haustrum spp., Muricidae,
Olividae and Buccinidae (Jones 1992). No doubt similar effects have occurred in the Manukau
Harbour.

The sewage treatment plant inside Puketutu Island was established in 1960 bringing with it the
largest freshwater input into the Manukau Harbour. The input has grown in size with the growth of
the city. This increased brackishness in the upper harbour, especially in the Mangere Arm, has had
major impacts on the modem foraminiferal fauna (Matthews et al., 2005) and presumably also on
molluscs in this part of the harbour.

Many species of micromollusc can be sieved from seaweed or washed from low tidal rocks today
(Hayward and Morley, 2004) but only a few are recorded in the 1950s-60s survey. These must have
been present then but would only been found during targeted searches. This omission is surprising
since Ken Hipkins specialised in micromolluscs. He published several papers on various
microscopic families illustrated with detailed drawings (Hipkins, 1955). Numerous bright orange
nudibranchs from Jenkins Bay, Titirangi were found by the authors (BWH, MSM) at low tide
among a soft coral Alyconium auranticum in November, 2008. These were identified by Richard
Willan as Hoplodoris nodulosa. This outstanding species is not recorded in the earlier survey.

Discussion

The chiton Acanthochitona zelandica appears to have taken advantage of a new habitat. In the
earlier survey they were found under intertidal rocks or among seaweed at all locations. (Fig.l)
Today A. zelandica is found almost exclusively in the Manukau Harbour in introduced clumps of C.
gigas (pers. obs.) which were not present back then. It is likely that specimens moved up to avoid
being smothered by the increase in mud at beach level. A similar change of habitat has occurred
with Risellopsis varia which is recorded among Zostera in the book but now lives among C. gigas
clumps.

30

Table 1. Mollusc species records from the Manukau Harbour, made by Conchology Section members
between 1952 and 1963.

I Localities

A. Whatipu A.H. Jones separate list 1952, plus book records 3 Jan 53, 1 1 Apr 59 [AJ]

B. Destruction Gully 3 Jan 53 [AJ]

C. Puponga Point 1 Jan 52, 7 Sept 52, 26 Sept 53, 6 Oct 56, 24 Aug 57, 1958, 19 May 59 [HC,
AH, SH, AJ]

D. Cornwallis 3 Jan 53, 26 Sept 53, 24 Nov 53, 29 Dec 55, 21 Oct 57 [GB, AH, SH, AJ, LP, WP,
WY, JW]

E. Mill Bay 4 Sept 52, 13 Nov 54, 25 Apr 55, 9 Sept 55, 6 Oct 56, 24 Aug 57 [GB, NG, AH, SH,

• AJ, LS, WT]

F. Mill Bay & Parau 26 Sep 53 [AH, LP, WT, JW]

, G. Parau Bay south side 4 Sep 52 [AH]

H. Te Tau Bank A. H. Jones separate list plus book records from 2 Jan 53, 16 Mar 57, 17 Mar
61, and 63 [GB, AJ, AM, LP, WR, ST, WT]

I. Laingholm 24 Oct 53 [WT]

J. Jenkins Bay, School Rd., Titirangi, 20 Sept 52, 29 Sept 53 [NG, AH, WT, JW]

K. French Bay, Titirangi 29 Dec 52 [WT]

L. Blockhouse Bay 9 Aug 52 [AH, SH, AJ, WT]

M. Cape Horn /Puketutu bank between, 28 Apr 53, 10 Nov 53 [AJ, WT]

N. Waikowhai 12 Feb 55

O. Onehunga 21 Nov 53, 12 Dec 57 [AH, AJ, LP]

P. Mill Bay near Onehunga wharf 20 Sept 52, 7 Jul 53 [AJ, LP]

Q. Puketutu Id. 23 Apr 59

R. Karore Bank 14 Feb 54 [AW]

! S. Weymouth 13 Apr 57 [PH, WT]

i T. Clarkes Beach no date

I U. Te Toro Point offshore Mar 56 [LS, WT]

; V. Big Bay, Poutawa Bank 1958 [AJ]

|1 W. Wattle Bay A.H. Jones separate list 52 plus book records 26 Dec 52 [AJ, WT]

Key

to observers' initials

AH

A.K. Hipkins (Ken)

LS

Loma Seagar

■: AJ

Albert H. Jones

NG

Norman Gardner

, AM

Alma Morgan

PH

P. Hutton Mr

AW

Arthur H. White

SH

S. Hulme (Syd)

GB

Grant Bawden

ST

Stan Turner

• *HC

H.J. Chapman Mr

WR

W. Rudman (Bill)

JW

Joyce Wyatt

WT

Mr and Mrs William P. Thomson

LP

• 4

W. Lee-Pike (Bill)

d = dead, 1 =

live, c = common, *taken by divers

Present species name

Name in book
1950s-60s

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

s

T

U

V

W

Polyplacophora

Acanthochitona

zelandica

A. zelandicus

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Chiton glaucus

Amaurochiton

glaucus

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Cryptoconchus porosus

1

1

1

Eudoxochiton nobilis

1

1

Ischnochiton maorianus

1

1

1

1

1

1

Leptochiton inquinatus

Terenochiton

inquinatus

1

1

1

1

Notoplax mariae

1

1

Onithochiton neglectus

1

1

Present species name

Name in book
1950s-60s

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

0

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

Plaxiphora biramosa

Diaphoroplax

biramosa

I

1

Plaxiphora obtecta

Guildinia obtecta

1

1

Rhyssoplax stangeri

Acanthochiton

stangeri

1

Sypharochiton

pelliserpentis

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Sypharochiton

pelliserpentis

Sypharochiton

sinclairi

1

Bivalvia

Acar sandersonae

d

Atrina zelandica

1

1

1

d

Austrovenus stutchburyi

Chione stutchburyi

d

1

1

1

1

1

Barbatia

novaezelandiae

1

Bamea similis

Anchomasa similis

d

1

Bomiola reniformis

Rochefortula

reniformis

1

Cardita aoteana

d

Circomphalus yatei

Bassina yatei

d

*

Cleidothaerus albidus

C. maorianus

1

1

1

1

Crassula aequilateralis

Spisula

aequilateralis

d

Cyclomactra ovata

Mactra ovata

d

d

d

d

c

d

Diplodonta striatula

Taras zelandica

d

Divalucina cumingi

Divaricella cuminyy

d

d

d

Dosina zelandica

d

1

Dosinia anus

d

1

Dosinia lambata

d

Dosinia subrose a

d

d

I

Gari lineolata

d

d

Hiatella arctica

H. australis

1

1

Hunkydora

novozelandica

Thracia vitrea

1

Irus reflexus

Notirus reflexus

1

1

1

Lasaea hinemoa

1

Lasaea maoria

1

Leptomya retiaria

1

*

Limnoperna pulex

Modiolus

neozelanicus

1

1

1

1

1

Limnopema securis

Modiolus fluviatilis

1

d

Linucula hartvigiana

d

1

1

d

d

Macomona Uliana

d

1

1

d

1

1

Mactra discors

1

1

Modiolus areolatus

d

1

Musculus impactus

d

d

1

1

1

1

Myadora boltoni

1

Myadora striata

1

1

d

1

Offadesma angasi

d

d

d

Ostrea chilensis

Ostrea sinuata

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Panopea zelandica

d

Paphies australis

Amphidesma

australis

d

d

1

1

1

1

1

1

Paphies

subtriangulatum

Amphidesma

subtriangulata

1

1

Pecten novaezelandiae

Notovola

novaezelandiae

d

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

c

d

Pema canaliculus

Mytilus canaliculus

d

1

1

1

1

1

1

Peroneae gaimardi

Anyulus yaimardi

d

Pratulum pulchellum

Nemocardium

pulchellum

Protothaca

crassicostata

d

Ruditapes largillierti

Paphirus laryillierti

1

1

1

1

d

d

1

Saccostrea cucullata
glomerata

Saxostrea ylomerata

1

1

Serratina charlottae

Tellina ferrari

d

Solemya parkinsonii

Solemya parkinsoni

d

d

d

Soletellina nitida

d

Talochlamys zelandiae

Chlamys zeelandona

d

1

32

Present species name

Name in book
1950s-60s

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Talochlamys zelandiae

Chlamys zelandiae

1

1

1

Tawera spissa

d

d

Zelithophaga truncata

1

1

1

Zenatia acinaces

d

d

d

Scaphopoda

Antalis nana

Dentalium nanum

d

d

d

Gastropoda

Aeolidia ? sp.

Aeolidia gracilis

1

Aethocola glans

Austrofusus glans

d

d

Alcithoe arabica

d

1

c

1

1

1

Alcithoe arabica

Alcithoe swainsoni

d

1

*

d

, Amalda australis

Baryspira australis

d

I

1

d

1

Amalda mucronata

d

Amalda novaezelandiae

Baryspira

novaezelandiae

d

’ Amphibola crenata

1

1

1

d

Antimelatoma
buchanani maorum

d

Argobuccinum
pustulosum tumidum

d

Assiminea vulgaris

1

Austrolittorina

antipodum

Melarhaphe

antipodum

1

1

1

1

Austrolittorina cincta

Melarhaphe cincta

1

1

1

Austromitra rubiginosa

1

Berthella omata

Bouvieria omata

1

Boreoscala zelebori

Cirsostrema

zelebori

d

d

Buccinulum linea

Buccinulum

multilineum

1

1

1

1

1

1

I

Buccinulum vittatum

B. heteromorphum

1

1

1

1

1

1

Buccinulum vittatum

d

Bulla quoyii

Quibulla quoyi

d

Cabestana spengleri

1

1

d

1

1

Cabestana tabulata

Cabestana

waterhousei

1

Calliostoma

punctulatum

Venustas punctulata

1

1

d

d

d

Calliostoma tigris

Maurea tigris

1

1

1

Callistoma selectum

Maurea

cumminghami

d

d

Cantharidus huttonii

Micrelenchus

huttoni

1

1

Cantharidus sanguineus

Micrelenchus

sangyinet/s

1

Cantharidus tesselatus

Cantharidella

tesselata

1

Cellana denticulata

d

Cellana omata

1

1

Cellana radians

1

I

Cellana stellifera

1

1

Charonia lampas

Charonia rubicunda

1

*

1

Chemnitzia zelandica

d

Coelotrochus tiaratus

Trochus tiaratus

1

1

*

Cominella adspersa

1

1

1

1

Cominella glandiformis

1

1

1

1

1

1

Cominella maculosa

1

1

1

1

1

1

Cominella quoyana

d

Cookia sulcata

1

*

1

Cymatium

parthenopeum

Monoplex

parthenopeum

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Dendrodoris citrina

c

Dentimargo cairoma

Marginella cairoma

1

Dicathais orbita

Neothais scalaris

1

1

1

1

1

Diloma aethiops

Melagraphia

aethiops

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Diloma bicaniculata

Anisodiloma

lugubris

1

33

Present species name

Name in book
1950s-60s

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

Diloma bicaniculata

Anisodiloma

lugubris

d

d

Diloma coracina

Caridiloma coricina

1

Diloma subrostrata

Zediloma

subrostrata

1

1

1

1

1

Diloma zelandica

Zediloma atrovirens

1

1

Eatoniella olivacea

Dardanula olivacea

1

1

1

Eatonina micans

Notosetia micans

1

Epitonium jukesianum

d

Epitonium tenellum

d

Haliotis australis

Notohaliotis

australis

1

1

1

Haliotis iris

1

1

1

Haliotis virginea

1

Haminoea zelandiae

d

1

1

1

d

I

1

Haustrum haustorium

Lepsia haustrum

1

1

1

Haustrum scobina

Lepsiella scobina

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Haustrum scobina

L. scobina
albomarginata

1

1

1

1

1

1

Janthina exigua

d

Janthina janthina

Janthina violacea

d

Lamellaria ophione

1

1

1

Leuconopsis obsoleta

1

1

1

Lunella smaragda

1

1

1

1

1

1

Maoricolpus roseus
manukauensis

d

d

1

d

1

1

d

1

Maoricrypta monoxyla?

1

Maoricrypta sodalis?

Maoricrypta

monoxyla

1

1

1

Marinula filholi

1

1

1

Melanochlamys

cylindrica

Aglaja cylindrica

1

Melanochlamys n. sp.

Aglaja n.sp.

1

Microtralia occidentalis

Rangitotoa insularis

1

Neoguraleus amoenus

d

Neoguraleus

manukauensis

c

1

Neoguraleus oniaensis

c

d

d

Nerita melanostragus

1

1

1

Notoacmea helmsi

1

1

1

1

1

1

Notoacmea

parviconoidea

1

Notoacmea pileopsis

1

1

1

Notoacmea scapha

1

Notoacmea scopulina

d

Ophicardelus costellaris

1

Patelloida corticata

1

1

1

1

Penion sulcatus

Penion adjusta

d

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Pervicaia tristis

d

d

d

d

Phenatoma rosea

P. nova-zelandiae

Phenatoma zealandica

d

Philine angasi

1

Philine auriformis

d

Pisirma sp.

Estea sp.

d

Potamopyrgus

antipodarum

Potamopyrgus

antipodum

1

1

Radiacmea inconspicua

1

1

Ranella australasia

Mayena australasia

1

1

1

1

1

1

Risellopsis varia

1

Rissoina chathamensis

1

Scutus breviculus

1

1

1

Semicassis pyrum

Xenophalium pyrum

d

1

Sigapatella

novaezelandiae

1

1

1

1

1

1

Sigapatella tenuis

Zegaleus tenuis

1

1

1

1

Siphonaria australis

Siphonaria

zelandica

1

1

1

1

1

Struthiolaria papulosa

d

1

d

1

*

1

1

1

Struthiolaria vermis

d

d

d

1

1

1

Suterilla neozelanica

1

Taron dubius

1

1

Tortna tankervillii

Tonna haurakiensis

d

34

Present species name

Name in book
1950s-60s

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

o

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

Trichosirius inomatus

d

d

1

d

Trimusculus conicus

Gadinalea nivea

d

Tugali elegans

1

Tugali suteri

1

Xymene ambiguus

Zeatrophon

ambiguus

d

Xymene plebeius

Xymene plebejus

d

1

1

1

1

Xymene traversi

Axymene traversi

1

Zeacolpus cf.
ahiparanus

d

Zeacolpus pagoda

Zeacolpus

fulminatus

d

Zeacolpus vittatus

d

Zeacumantus lutulentus

d

1

1

1

1

1

Zeacumantus

subcarinatus

1

1

1

1

1

Zethalia zelandica

c

d

’

Cephalopoda

Octopus maorum

1

Spirula spirula

d

d

d

Norman Douglas’s Manukau Harbour collection

Although the book does not record sizes, members who were fortunate enough to have seen the late
Norman Douglas’s Manukau Harbour collection will recall not only the wide range of species
present, but also their excellent condition and large sizes, when compared to those seen today.
Although Norman was actively collecting during the survey his main interest at that time was deer
(Stan Turner pers. comm.). His name does not appear in the book. Norman’s wife Loma has this
collection in her home at Waiuku. It will eventually go to their son Murray who keeps up the family
interest in natural history by designing radio transmitters to track native birds (Glenys Stace pers.
comm.). Most of Norman’s main New Zealand collection went to the National Museum, Te Papa.

Conclusion

This data from the book and unpublished papers will be invaluable for comparison when the current

[long-term survey by the authors (BWH, MSM) is completed. Many species from the 1950’s are still
present in Manukau Harbour, but smaller inconspicuous species will require careful searching of
their specific habitat, e.g. Microtralia occidentalis under high tide stones. These species and
j locations could be useful goals for future Shell Club field trips.

I

Acknowledgements

We thank Conchology Section members of the 1950’s, who documented their field trips, especially
i Albert Jones for typing his separate species lists; Stan Turner, a member of the survey who recalled
• a memories, and his daughter Elizabeth Logan; Derrick Crosby, Derek Lamb, Alan Petersen, Peter
Poortman, Nancy Smith, Doug Snook, Glenys Stace, Fiona Thompson and Richard Willan who
suggested contacts and searched their memories throwing light on observers and their collections.

I * Richard also identified the Hoplodoris nodulosa and traced the Aeolidia species. Jenny Riley,
technician in the Museum Marine Department in late 1980s-mid 1990s provided dates and gave
advice. Thanks to Rosa Tyson for search ideas; Wilma Blom (Auckland Museum) for computer
searches; Ashwaq Sabaa (Geomarine) for scanning drawings and page 14 of the book; and very
importantly, to Gladys Goulstone for recognising the valuable find among old papers in the library.

References

i Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum 1952-1961. Bulletins Nos. 8-17.

I Dinamani, P. 1971. Occurence of the Japanese oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg) in Northland,
New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 9: 257-264.

: Hipkins, A.K. 1955. The genus Scrobs Watson, 1 886. Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum

i Bulletin W:\5-\9.

35

Hipkins, A.K. 1957. The genus Rissoina d’Orbigny. Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum
Bulletin 13:9-13.

Hipkins, A.K. 1958. The Columbellidae of New Zealand. Conchology Section of the Auckland
Museum Bulletin 14: 11-18.

Hayward, B.W. 1997. Introduced marine organisms in New Zealand and their impact in the
Waitemata Harbour. Tane 26: 197-223.

Hayward, B.W. and Morley, M.S. 2004. Intertidal life around the coast of the Waitakere Ranges.
Auckland Regional Council, Working Report No. 11, 1 00 pp and maps.

Homibrook, N.deB. 1962. Sydney George Hulme. Geological Society of New Zealand Newsletter
13: 17-18.

Hulme, S.G. 1961 . Dredgings from the Manukau Harbour. Conchology Section of the Auckland
Museum Bulletin 16: 2-5.

Jones, A.H. 1953. Notes of interest collecting on the Manukau. Conchology Section of the Auckland
Museum Bulletin 9: 13.

Jones, A.H. 1955. Varices on Cassids. Conchology Section of the Auckland Museum Bulletin 1 1 :

15.

Jones, A.H. 1958. New records from the Manukau Harbour. Conchology Section of the Auckland
Museum Bulletin 14: 22-24.

Jones, M.R.L. 1992. The effects of tributyltin upon Lepsiella scobina, Dicathais orbita and
Haustrum haustorium; their roles as indicators of tributyl tin pollution. Unpublished MSc thesis.
University of Auckland.

Krug, P.J., Morley, M.S. Asif, J., Hellyar, L.L., and Blom, W.M. 2008. Molecular confirmation of
species status for the rare Cephalaspidean Melanochlamys lorrainae (Rudman, 1968), and
comparision with its sister species M. cylindrica Cheeseman, 1981. Journal of Molluscan studies
74: 267-276.

Marshall, B.A. 1998. The New Zealand Recent species of Cantharidus Montfort, 1810 and
Micrelenchus Finlay, 1926 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trochidae). Molluscan Research 19: 107-156.
Marshall, B.A. 2003. A Review of the Recent and Late Cenozoic Calyptraeidae of New Zealand
(Mollusca: Gastropoda). The Veliger 46: 117-144.

Matthews, A., Grenfell, H.R., Hayward, B.W. and Horrocks, M., 2005. Foraminiferal record of
sewage outfall impacts on the inner Manukau Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand
Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 39: 193-215.

Morley, M.S., Hayward, B.W. and White, A. 2001 Changes to the intertidal biota 1950’s-2000 at
Howick Beach, Auckland. Poirieria 27: 4-19.

Morley, M.S., Gardner, N. and Hayward, B.W. 2009. Obituary - Norman W. Gardner. Poirieria 34:
2-4.

Nakano, T., Marshall, B.A., Kennedy, M. and Spencer, H.G. 2009. The phylogeny and taxonomy of
New Zealand Notoacmea and Patelloida species (Mollusca: Patellogastropoda: Lottiidae) inferred
from DNA sequences. Molluscan Research 29: 33-59.

Poirieria 50* Anniversary Edition 1980. Presidents of the Conchology Section.

Powell, A.B.W. 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins, 500 pp.

Rudman, W.B., 1968. Three species of the opisthobranch family Aglajidae from New Zealand.
Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Zoology 10: 21 1-216.

Spencer, H.G., Willan, R.C., Marshall, B.A. and Murray, T.J. 2010. Checklist of the Recent
Mollusca described from the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone.
http://torea.otago.ac.nz/pubs/spencer/Molluscs/index.html

Stewart, C., de Mora, S.J. and Miller, M.C. 1992. Imposex in New Zealand neogastropods. Marine
Pollution Bulletin 24: 204-209.

36

'-W*-

POIRIERIA

Auckland Shell Club

(Conchology Section, Auckland Museum Institute)

http://nz_seashells.tripod.com

Volume 37, October 2013

ISSN 0032-2377

CONTENTS

P. 1 Editorial

Patricia Langford

P. 2 NOTE: A SUB-FOSSIL FORM OF PECTEN NOVAEZELANDIAE FROM OAKURA,
NORTHLAND

Michael K. Eagle

P. 4 IN A WHORL WITH COMINELLA GLANDIFORMIS

Margaret S. Morley

P. 8 LITTLE KIWI BATTLER

Paul Leary

P. 10 MOLLUSCAN RECORD OF EARLY HOLOCENE CONDITIONS AT
BUCKLANDS BEACH, AUCKLAND

Bruce W. Hayward and Margaret S. Morley
Geomarine Research, St Johns, Auckland

P. 13 THE SMALL, ENIGMATIC CEPHALOPOD SPIRULA SPIRULA (LINNAEUS,

1758) (DECABRACHIA, SUBORDER SPIRULINA) FROM THE TASMAN SEA

Michael K. Eagle

P.28 TETOHEROA

W. B. Weber

P. 30 THE EGG CASES, PROTOCONCHS AND EARLY WHORLS OF NERITA
MELANOTRAGUS E.A. SMITH, 1884

Margaret S. Morley

P.31 THE JOKE THAT BACKFIRED

Margaret Morley and Bruce Hayward

P. 32 TRIP TO EAST DIAMOND ISLET, CORAL SEA, NOV/2012

Heather Smith

"‘Poirieria" is the journal of a private club which is closely associated with the Auckland Museum
Institute.

Subscription to “Po/Wma” is by membership of the Auckland Shell Club. For more information see
our website at http://nz_seashells.tripod.com/.

Views expressed in the ‘'‘'Poirieria'' are those of contributors and may not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the Auckland Shell Club.

Reference copies of "Poirieria" are held in the General Library of The Auckland War Memorial
Museum and in the Natural History Library located in the Museum's Natural History Gallery.

EDITORIAL

Patricia Langford

Dear Fellow Conchologists,

It has been a significant year for the marine environment, with notable
turbulent weather patterns, ongoing debate about climate change, and closer to
our own interests, the worrying changes occuring at our National Museum, Te
Papa. The worldwide trend to popularise Museums has been underway for a
number of years, and I suspect the box office success of such movies as "Night
at the Museum" and its sequels has accelerated the changes. Indeed, our own
Auckland Museum regularly offers night events and entertainment.

My first experience of attracting the masses to Museums happened in the year 2000 whilst I was
travelling in Western Canada. A significant Museum housed a collection of notable artefacts from
various "First Nations" cultures. The entrance fee led me to have certain expectations. Each room of
displays was almost totally dark, with a central spotlight highlighting a clown or circus performer,
backed by loud intrusive music. When I complained and expressed disappointment to a duty officer,
clad in Mountie-style uniform, he explained that Canada was renowned for its "Cirque du Soleil"
performances, and Museum directors had decided to use that theme to make their Museum a fun
place to visit!

Similar irritation and disillusionment followed me on a visit to the excellent Art Gallery in Adelaide
in South Australia, where I was attempting to contemplate the outstanding colonial-era paintings,in
peace and quiet. Unbelievably, a man chatting loudly on a mobile phone followed my every move,
and when I appealed to staff they declined to intervene. Even our City Libraries have been
instructed to become "Commmunity Centres" with increasingly diverse noisy activities, but I will
not comment further on that.

To return to policy changes at Te Papa. Decision makers have a duty to put aside personal
preferences for promoting The Arts, popular and theme park-style entertainments, for the core
business of housing and maintaining scientific study collections and appropriate staff, which are
Taonga in their own right, and of no lesser importance than any other category of Museum
collections. Earthquake excuses aside, natural history collections and associated knowledge are the
very foundation of our unique maritime Nation, and our indigenous flora and fauna, embracing
abundant marine life and distinctive landscapes, are the main attractions that brought both early and
recent migrants to our shores.

Hallowed halls aside (or abandoned) what kind of message or inspiration are we sending to our
young aspiring scientists of the future? We will surely need them more than ever - trade, tourism,
economic diversity, fisheries, agriculture, natural resources - all increasingly under stress and
insatiable demand. I am all for a balanced life experience, including the inspiration of real art and
music, but education and scientific knowledge are also power tools for human survival.

This touching recollection of the 1950’s modus operandi of the late great Dr.AWB Powell, I share
with you all. Apparently the esteemed Auckland Museum Conchologist (and artist) regularly visited
the Shell Galleries after school hours on week days. He sometimes spotted an earnest admirer of the
displayed specimens, and they would be persuaded to join the Museum Conchology Section as a
Junior member. Some of those youngsters went on to notable careers in Marine Science.

NOTE: A SUB-FOSSIL FORM OF PECTEN NOVAEZELANDIAE
FROM OAKURA, NORTHLAND

Michael K. Eagle

Powell (1979: 377) states that: “The genus Pecten [Muller, 1776 (= Notovola Findlay, 1927)] is a
late comer to New Zealand, evidently having spread from the Mediterranean via the former Tethys
Sea, reaching here during the Pliocene and Pleistocene.” Beu et al (1990: 335) declare the earliest
record of Pecten novaezelandiae Reeve, 1853 (= Pecten kupei Fleming, 1957) to be at Cape
Kidnappers where it is more than a million years old. They also state that P. novaezelandiae is
known from New Zealand since at least oxygen isotope stage 13, “probably equivalent to Upper
Kai-lwi Siltstone at Castlecliff,” (c.0.34 million years).

A Pleistocene form of P. novaezelandiae out-washed from an exhumed shellbed on the banks of
Oakura Stream, Oakura Bay, Northland (Fig.l), with similar shell morphology to the sub-species
rakiura assigned by Fleming (1951: 130; 1957: 44), was collected in October 2012. The specimen
has squarer ribs, deeper narrow interspaces, is a uniform light brown colour, has intercostal
lamellae, is slightly reduced in inflation, with two left ribs on the convex right valve unnaturally
enlarged and the sculpture secondarily radially bifurcated (Fig. 2A) in contrast to the more common
form of P. novaezelandiae (Fig. 2B). Fleming (1951) nominated Stewart Island as the type locality
of rakiura, but Powell (1979) noted “these characters are present to some extent in northern
populations, so one can assume that they are part of the normal range of variation.”

Fig. 1. Map showing ‘P. novaezelandiae cf rakiura' sub-fossil locality, Oakura Stream, Oakura. Northland
(representational only).

2

Fig. 2. Photograph of P. novaezelandiae forms for comparison: A. Oakura Stream subfossil specimen with two
enlarged ribs radially divided (at <); B. Oakura Bay Recent beach-drift).

Oakura Stream incises a low-lying hinterland considered an infilled coastal swamp/paleo-estuary
with various tempestite (storm accumulations) and beach-drift shell beds deposited in time and
space. The endemic, edible P. novaezelandiae today lives on intertidal estuarine sand flats, in large
bays open to the sea and on the inner continental shelf down to 30 (commonly) and 120 (rarely)
metres. Consequently, Pecten fossil species are found fossil in shallow water beds only. The
occurrence of sub-fossil P. novaezelandiae with rakiura characters in Northland supports the
premise that this genetic form has longevity.

References

Beu, A. G., Maxwell, P. A., and Brazier, R. C. 1990. Cenozoic Mollusca of New Zealand. New
Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin 58, DSIR, Lower Hutt: 518p.

Fleming, C. A 1951. Some Australasian Mollusca in the British Museum (Natural History).
Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 79 ( 1 ): 1 26- 1 39.

Fleming, C. A. 1957. The genus Pecten in New Zealand. New Zealand Geological Survey
Paleontological Bulletin 26; 69p.

Powell. A. W. B 1979. New Zealand Mollusca. Collins. 500p.

3

IN A WHORL WITH COMINELLA GLANDIFORMIS

Margaret S. Morley

Summary

The egg cases and development of the embryonic shells of Cominella glandiformis are described.

Introduction

For some years, Bruce Hayward and 1 have been building up marine species lists for Hauraki Gulf
beaches during spring low tides. On October 17 2012, we were surveying Baddeley Beach, south of
Leigh (Fig. 1). 1 collected a clump of oysters Saccostrea cucuUata glomerata from mid-tidal rock
faces because this habitat reliably provides several species (Powell 1979 p 49). The molluscs likely
to be found include the chiton Acanthochitona zelandica, the bivalve Lasaea hinemoa, small
gastropods Leuconopsis obsoleta, Risellopsis varia, Fossarina rimata and Notoacmea sp. As usual,

after separating the clump, I looked at
each surface of the oysters under the
microscope. Other living creatures
encountered on the oyster clump were a
marine worm, its body hidden between
the shells only its filtering tentacles on
show; an ostracod and the smallest crab
I have ever seen! On this occasion I was
intrigued by five egg capsules attached
to a dead oyster within the clump.

Fig. 1. Location of Baddeleys Beach, near Warkworth.

The Capsules

The five pyramid-shaped capsules, made of gelatinous translucent material, measured less than 2
mm in diameter. Each had a low profile, a shallow concavity at the top with three or four sharp
reinforcing ridges running down to the base (Fig. 2). The capsules were continuous with the next
where they were attached by a narrow, flat membrane to the oyster valve. Under the microscope
about six grainy ochre-yellow blobs could be seen inside two of the five capsules.

The oyster valve was kept in seawater and daily progress checked under the microscope. There was
little change for two weeks except that the yellow blobs appeared to be growing larger. The
development of the embryos in capsule one was about a week ahead of capsule two which had five
living animals moving inside. The adjacent capsules were empty.

.4.

Observation of the Development Stages

November 1 2012: Movements by each dark animal could
be seen within its first whorl, its black eyes spots appeared
to look up at me (Fig. 3). I had previously watched the
development of Pleurobranchaea maculata spawn hatch
into veligers with their wing-like velums edged with cilia
(pers. obs.), but these were definitely protoconchs. This
excluded molluscan species which have a planktonic
stage. I was already familiar with the larger intertidal
Cominella adspersa and C. maculosa egg cases so could
rule out those, as well as the lined whelk Buccinulum
linea, which lays collar-like egg cases around seaweed
stems (Ian Scott pers. comm.). There were no matches
among the carnivorous whelk egg cases illustrated in
Gunson p. 86 (1993). I considered Cominella quoyana
quoyana or maybe a turrid, but mid-tide seemed too high
for these predominantly subtidal species.

The animals responded to the microscope light and gentle prodding through the capsule by
withdrawing or rotating on their foot. An anterior canal was starting to develop and a few
compressed growth lines appeared on the outer lip of the second protoconch whorl.

November 2: The animals were growing larger within the capsule, though their food source was
not obvious. The siphon could be seen.

Fig. 3. Cominella glandiformis
protoconch and animal, November 1 ,
2012 (0.4 mm across).

November 3: The animals were medium grey with a fine darker reticulated pattern (Fig. 4). A
current of sparkly white bubbles, possibly excreta, could be seen exiting the animal. The
demarcation between the protoconch and first adult whorl was obvious (Fig. 5). The siphon now
extended one third of the length of the shell. The foot, showing its phosphorescent margin, was
clinging at times onto the inside of the capsule wall.

Fig. 4. Cominella glandiformis protoconch and animal. Fig. 5. Cominella glandiformis first adult whorls,

November 3, 2012. (0.7 mm long) November 30, 2012 (1.2 mm high)

November 4: Further shell growth showed cut-in sutures and incipient rounded axials developing.
At this point I wondered if the egg cases were those of Zeacumantus subcarinatus so I examined
adult specimens in my collection. However adult shells have the protoconch damaged or eroded off
so cannot be used for comparision.

5

November 13: The embryos inside both capsules were growing. The capsule wall seemed to be
thinner, is this a result of natural deterioration or is it being eaten?

November 22; Although the concave top of both the capsules was open the embryos were still
inside.

November 30: The first capsule was empty and three animals remained inside the second capsule
while a presumed fourth was found floating on the water surface. To my delight other embryonic
shells were crawling either on the side of the container or among debris at the bottom. The largest
was 1 .2 mm. A single spiral was emerging towards the second half of the second protoconch whorl,
two on the first adult whorl and three on the second body whorl (Fig. 5). The shell was dark tan
brown. The animals were paler than in the earlier stages.

December 5: The animals crawled among detritus were not attracted to either a piece of pipi or
seaweed. What do these juveniles eat?

December 7: The shells now have three adult whorls, the third with three fine, dark spirals.

December 15: Some of the shelled animals crawl on the goatskin label, has this acquired
microbacteria or microflora e.g. diatoms?

December 17: I put a dead conjoined pipi shell covered in green film as a possible food source into
the container. At this point disaster struck! Next morning my juveniles had disappeared, a search for
the culprit revealed a well-satisfied crab inside the pipi shell!

Discussion

Identification Problems

Cominella glandiformis was suggested by Roger Grace.

Cominella capsules (not specific to species), are grouped
together in small sheets under stones, on stones, or hard cover
forming pointed oval cases and fastened by short stalks
(Morton and Miller 1968 p. 398). These capsules did not fit
this description because they are broadly attached by the base
with no stalk, though some support for mid-tidal C.
glandiformis (Fig.6) was provided by the embryos surviving
well, despite not being in aerated water and rising
temperatures while I was away.

The horn shells Zeacumantus lutulenlus and Z. subcarinatus
were considered, but both lay soft gelatinous masses (John
Walsby pers. comm.).

Another species which lays similar but taller egg cases is Taron dubius (pers. obs.) This possibility
was ruled out because the Baddeleys Beach specimens developed with rapidly increasing whorls
resulting in a tall narrow shell, nor was the animal red as in 7. dubius. The capsules were not laid
by Hausti-um scobina as their egg capsules are circular (pers. obs.).

Developmental stages

Because the capsules were continuous, it is assumed that they were all laid at the same time, so
different stages of development between capsules one and two are a puzzle.

Excreta

The bubbles were presumed specks of excreta. I have seen similar bubbles in other developing egg
cases and spawn.

Fig. 6. Cominella glandiformis
embryos Miranda, February 28, 2013.
( 1 mm high)

6

Food

Another unsolved problem is what do they eat? In the oyster borer, Haustnim scobina, 95% of the
embryos break down to provide yolky food for the survivors (Morley 2004). This was not the case
in this study as no embryos disappeared from the capsules. The capsule wall became thinner, is this
the result of natural deterioration or is it being eaten from the inside by the embryos? If they don’t
eat the capsule is there a yolk supply which I did not see? In an effort to determine their food after
they left the capsule I put a small piece of pipi and the seaweed Codium fragile into the container,
but neither attracted the animals.

Spiral sculpture

Jack Grant-Mackie (2011) found a fossil egg case of the volute Alcithoe arabica still containing
embryonic shells, these showed fine spirals on the second whorl of the protoconch. He states that
adult shells are too worn or corroded for the spirals to be preserved, even if previously present.
Embryonic shells of A. arabica in my collection, 0.5-0. 8 mm from Mahurangi and Taranaki, have
very fine spirals similar to those of C. glandiformis seen in this study. Possibly other embryonic
shells of related species have them too. A future study would require collecting egg cases and
observing their development.

Resolution

The Bioblitz at Miranda, Firth of Thames on February 28, 2013 finally solved the identification
problem. The challenge was to find as many species as possible in 24 hours. The intertidal zone at
Miranda is an extensive expanse of mud and sand flats, a single large log of wood seemed a likely
place for additional species. It had been extensively bored by teredo Bankia australis, so I took
some wood samples to check the bivalve and its pallets. Under the microscope at home, large
numbers of the same familiar egg cases were attached to the surface of the wood. This time the only
contenders were over two hundred C. glandiformis congregated around the log where they had laid
their egg cases. Since few hard surfaces were available, egg cases had also been laid at the base of
the occasional clumps of the seaweed Gracilaria chilensis. These egg cases were taller than the
Baddeley Beach specimens and even piled up due to the lack of space on the narrow stems. One
mm juveniles that I washed out from this seaweed are squatter and have much finer spiral sculpture
than the Baddeley Beach specimens (Fig. 6). This appears to be a variable feature. Unfortunately
the Miranda specimens only survived a few days so I was unable to follow the development of the
adult whorls.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Roger Grace and John Walsby who provided helpful discussions on possible
identifications, information on the spawn of Zeacumantus lutulentus, and gave suggestions to
determine the type of food eaten; and to Bruce Hayward for formatting the article.

References

Grant-Mackie, J. 2011 A fossil egg case of Alcithoe arabica from the Whanganui Pleistocene.
Poirieria 36: 10-12.

Gunson, D. 1993 A Guide to the New Zealand Seashore. Penguin 152 p

Morley, M.S. and I. Anderson 2004 A photographic guide to Sea Shells of New Zealand. New
Holland p. 144.

Morton, J.E. and M.C. Miller 1968 The New Zealand Sea Shore. Collins 653 p.

Powell, A.W.B. 1979 New Zealand Mollusca. Collins 500 p.

7

LITTLE KIWI BATTLER

Paul Leary

My wife, two young children and I arrived in Taipa late afternoon on the 1st of February 2013.

As a child I had spent my summer holidays in Taipa staying on the Adamson’s farm in an old
schoolhouse on their property. Having convinced my wife to travel all the way to the ‘winterless’
north with two children under the age of four, I would have preferred the weather to have been
beautiful. However we were faced with days of wind, rain and rough seas. I did however harbour
secret hopes for some decent wash-ups so had to find the right excuse to drag my family to a beach
in the rain and wind. I decided my best chance was to use the experienced Doubtless Bay weather
forecaster card, and confidently announced ‘that even though it is raining here in Taipa it was
bound to be fine on the other side of the peninsula’. I had no idea, but Rangiputa had to be my best
bet.

When we arrived at Rangiputa, to my complete surprise, my rather hopeful prediction was right and
weather conditions were indeed much better with the sun peeking through and little wind. I couldn’t
believe my luck. We headed around the far comer to the small bay that looks out to the open ocean.
As soon as I hopped out of the car I could smell that familiar smell of a wash-up. The smell of
rotting seaweed was quite strong and looking down the beach to the rocks I could see most of the
beach was piled up with kelp. Let’s just say my family weren’t nearly as happy as I. The urge to
dash straight down the beach and start scouring through the seaweed was almost overpowering.

Once we had our picnic arranged on the grass I sent my son Finlay off down to the beach to look for
crabs and seized my opportunity to follow him and start riffling through the seaweed. After about
30 minutes of searching I was disappointed to find that despite a huge amount of seaweed there
were very little shells of any interest. It appeared that the rough seas had only dislodged large stems
of kelp that were attached to small rocks or the large dog cockle Tucetona laticostata. I eventually
gave up and headed down to the rocks with the others to search for crabs; this proved to be far more
fmitful.

On our way back to the picnic I was quickly scanning the kelp when I saw a yellow glint of what
seemed to be an aperture of a shell poking up through the kelp. I reached down and quickly realised
it was a very battered and broken hairy tmmpet shell Monoplex parthenopeus with a five foot long
stem of live kelp still firmly attached by its roots. The shell looked very old and worn, and the body
whole was completely broken open (many years ago by the look of the extremely porous edges). I
couldn’t pinpoint why something didn't seem quite right about this battered old shell, but as it was
very poor condition I threw it back down on the sand and started to walk away. It suddenly came to
me that the internal structure of the shell was smooth and clean and looked just as it should for a
living shell. I picked it up again and discovered that tucked up unusually high in the broken aperture
was indeed a living mollusc. How on earth had this animal survived so long in a broken shell, let
alone with five feet of kelp growing on its back?

That evening I pulled the shell out of the bucket to give it a closer examination. The back was
almost entirely missing, and had clearly broken more than year or two earlier from the look of the
corroded edges. It was battered and worn and covered with small pits from the saltwater eating into
the shell. It was astonishing to see such an old battered and broken Monoplex still alive. This shell
had somehow managed to shrink and contort its body up into the remaining area of protective
unbroken shell. Amazingly it had continued to graze for food and stay alive whilst keeping away
from predators. The next question I had was how did a long stem of kelp grow on the back? I could

8

see that the shell was not only very worn but was green with algae which suggested it may have
been trapped amongst rocks. The beach was predominantly covered by kelp attached to algae
covered rocks. It seems likely that the recent storm had caused the kelp to dislodge many of the
anchors, including the Tucetona laticostata and clearly one battered but fighting Monoplex
parthenopeus.

I can only conclude that after being smashed open by a previous storm it was then wedged tightly
into a crevice which offered protection from predators. Remarkably it was then able to reduce its
size to fit back up into the remaining shell, and survive on what little food was available
immediately around it. The kelp grew over the years, anchoring around the shell and perhaps even
protecting it from attack. Maybe, over the years, the kelp helped keep it fed by attracting food to the
base of the stem in rather a symbiotic fashion.

Jammed between rocks and unable to move and eat oysters, broken and worn to half its normal size,
this Monoplex parthenopeus was determined to survive, and managed to do so for a long while until
this year’s storm dealt a final blow. Even though this shell is not very pretty to look at, it now sits
proudly in the front of my collection as an example of survival against the odds and well deserves
the title of Little Kiwi Battler.

9

MOLLUSCAN RECORD OF EARLY HOLOCENE CONDITIONS AT
BUCKLANDS BEACH, AUCKLAND

Bruce W. Hayward and Margaret S. Morley
Geomarine Research, St Johns, Auckland

Summary

Cemented basalt pebble conglomerate and coarse sand containing many shells forms beach rock at
the north end of Bucklands Beach, Auckland. Many of the shells are the same as those living in the
area today, but some layers are dominated by a thick-shelled assemblage of bivalves that does not
live in the vicinity any more. This assemblage of Tucetona laticostata, Ruditapes largillierti,
Dosina zelandica and Oxypems elongata is inferred to have lived in a strong current-swept subtidal
channel together with Maoricolpus roseus in a coarse sediment bottom, when the entrance to
Tamaki Estuary was more exposed (prior to eruption of Rangitoto). Specimens of two subtidal
bivalves {R. largillierti, T. laticostata) occur in life position in the beach rock at present mid tide
level and indicate that sea level was at least 1.3 m higher than now at that time.

Introduction

A 1 m thick deposit of cemented pebble conglomerate, pebbly sand and shelly pebbly sand outcrops
around mid-tide level at the north end of Bucklands Beach, on the east side of the entrance to the
Tamaki Estuary, Auckland (Figs 1, 2). The bedding is horizontal to gently dipping seaward. The
pebbles are up to 15 cm across and are predominantly made of basalt, presumably derived by
erosion from Motukorea Island, 2 km to the north. Today there is no evidence of basalt pebbles
being transported southwards into the Tamaki Estuary as they clearly were at the time these layers
of sediment were deposited. Some of the layers contain abundant molluscan shells, some species of
which no longer live in the vicinity.

Fig. 1. Location of Bucklands Beach. Tamaki Estuary entrance, Waitemata Harbour.

Age

A small, vertically-oriented, in-situ Tucetona laticostata (Wk33780) was dated at Waikato
University Radiocarbon Laboratory at 4965-5290 cal yr BP (95% probability).

10

Fig. 2. Beach rock exposed near mid tide level, north
end of Bucklands Beach.

Mollusc Species List

An assessment of abundance of fossil shells is shown in lower case.

Their modem abundance is given in upper case, with live records from Bucklands Beach shown in
italics. Modem data from Morley (2002) and Hayward and Morley (2008).
c = common
f == frequent
o = occasional
r = rare
- - absent

Gastropoda
Alcithoe arabica o R
Amphibola crenata r R
Coelotrochus tiaratus r R
Cominella adspersa r F
Cominella maculosa r O
Cominella virgata r F
Diloma aethiops r C
Lunella smaragdus r C
Maoricolpus roseus f F
Penion sulcatus o R

Missing in beach rock
Amalda australis - F
Cominella glandiformis - F
Diloma subrostrata - F
Haustrum scobina - F
Zeacumantus lutulentus - F
Zeacumantus subcarinatus - C

Bivalvia

Atrina zelandica r O
Austrovenus stutchburyi c F
Cleidothaerus albidus r R
Corbula zelandica r R
Dosina zelandica o O
Macomona Uliana r O
Oxyperas elongata f -
Panopea zelandica r -
Paphies australis c O
Pecten novaezelandiae f R
Perna canaliculus f F
Ruditapes largillierti c two in-situ R
Saccostrea glomerata cucullata o -
Tucetona laticostata c one in-situ -
Venericardia purpurata r R

Discussion

Various layers within the beach rock have different shell compositions. Some are dominated by
Paphies australis and Austrovenus stutchburyi similar to the modem Bucklands Beach nearby.
Many parts of the pebbly coarse sand beach rock are dominated by the thick shells of Tucetona
laticostata and Ruditapes largillierti accompanied by Dosina zelandica, Oxyperas elongata and
Maoricolpus roseus (Fig. 3).

11

Fig. 3. Fossil 5000 yr old shells in beach rock,
Bucklands Beach. Identifiable in the photo are
Tucetona laticostata, Oxyperas elongata, Maohcolpus
roseus, Ruditapes largillierti, and Perna canaliculus.

This assemblage is typical of that which lives in coarse substrates in strong current-swept subtidal
channels (e.g. Hayward et al, 1981) with the closest known occurrence to Bucklands Beach being
Rangitoto Channel (Powell, 1937). Clearly the beach rock assemblage lived in the Tamaki Estuary
tidal channel at the time of accumulation and the environment must have been more exposed than
today with a coarser substrate floor in the channel.

Rangitoto Island erupted in the middle of the Waitemata Harbour about 600 years ago (Lindsay et
al., 2011) and prior to that, when the beach rock accumulated, the entrance to Tamaki Estuary
would have been more exposed to the north. Browns Island would also have been much more
exposed and the soft tuff rock on the north side eroded rapidly supplying basalt pebbles and coarse
sand into the Tamaki entrance channel, which it does not do today.

Two conjoint specimens of R. largillierti and one juvenile conjoint T. laticostata were found in
growth position within the beach rock coarse sand. We have seen rare living specimens of the
former at spring low tide level but have never seen living specimens of the latter exposed
intertidally. Both occur in the beach rock at present mid tide level and this implies that sea level was
a minimum of 1 .3 m higher 5000 yrs ago. Most of the other shells in the beach rock are rare and
still living in the vicinity today. Many live infaunally in or epifaunally on the soft intertidal muddy
sand whereas others live on rocky substrates or graze on seaweed. Rare shells not known to be
living in the vicinity today are a number of native rock oysters {Saccostrea glomerata cucullata)
and geoduck {Panopea zelandica). This latter species lives subtidally in relatively exposed sand
substrates and the lack of washed up specimens today suggests that it is not living in the Waitemata
Harbour, but possibly did in small numbers prior to the eruption of Rangitoto.

References

Hayward, B.W., Grace, R.V. and Brook, F.J., 1981. Soft-bottom benthic macrofaunal communities
of the eastern Bay of Islands, northern New Zealand. Pane 27: 103-122.

Hayward, B.W. and Morley, M.S., 2008. Intertidal life of the Tamaki Estuary and its entrance,
Auckland. Auckland Regional Council Technical Publication 373, 71 p.

Lindsay, J., Leonard, G., Smid, E. and Hayward, B.W., 2011. Age of the Auckland Volcanic Field:
a review of existing data. New Zealand Journal of Geology' & Geophysics 54: 379-401.

Morley, M.S., 2002. Marine biota of Little Bucklands Beach to Musick Point, Tamaki Estuary,
Auckland. Poirieria 28: 16-33.

Powell, A.W.B., 1937. Animal communities of the sea-bottom in Auckland and Manukau
Harbours. Transactions of the Royal Society' of New Zealand 66: 354-401.

12

THE SMALL, ENIGMATIC CEPHALOPOD SPIRULA SPIRULA
(LINNAEUS, 1758) (DECABRACHIA, SUBORDER SPIRULINA)
FROM THE TASMAN SEA

Michael K. Eagle

Abstract. An informal appraisal of the small cephalopod Spirula spirula (Linnaeus, 1758) as
beach-drift flotsam emanating from the Tasman Sea upon Muriwai and Rangitira Beaches, North
Island, New Zealand and possible ancestral precursors in the fossil record is made within the
taxonomic classification of the Spirulidae. A systematic biological description including
ontogenetic development and DNA nucleotide expressions, are given. Ecological aspects and
environmental considerations of S. spirula made by historical field and laboratory observations and
a note of the 013 and 018 isotope analysis of the internal planispiral buoyancy shell are discussed.

Keywords. Spirula spirula', Spirulidae; Spirulina; Decabrachia; Sepioidea; cephalopoda; mollusca.

Introduction

Along the forty-six kilometres of black titanomagnetite sands of Muriwai and Rangitira beaches,
Auckland, west coast, vast numbers of white, fragile, decoded shells, rarely with parts of the animal
attached and some with Lepas spp. (Cirripedia: Thoracica: Lepadiformes (goose barnacles))
attached to the aperture and shell umbilicus can be seen washed up on the high tide line (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Muriwai beach-drift goose barnacles {Lepas sp.) growing on internal buoyancy shells of Spirula spirula that
have been floating in the Tasman Sea.

13

They belong to a globally distributed monotypic cephalopod known as Spirula spirula (Linnaeus,
1758). Cephalopods are marine molluscan invertebrates classified in the Order Decabrachia; the
term cephalopod dates from 1823, being derived from the Greek: kephale, head; and pons (the root
is pod-), meaning foot.

The first complete Spirula to be described was one found at Port Nicholson in New Zealand (Gray,
1845). Because of its rarity in the early 19th Century this specimen was considered too valuable to
dissect. Spirula regionally occurs in marine tropical to warm-temperate mesopelagic waters above
the continental slope, regionally between 100 and 1750 m off the Coral Sea, about the Kermadec
Islands, Tonga, the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea to the east and west respectively of the northern
half of the North Island of New Zealand (see: Suter 1913; Dell 1952: 76-78; Powell 1979: 439).
Spirula is distributed globally in sub-tropic to tropic oceans from about 30°N to 30°S (Clarke 1986)
only occasionally inhabiting open oceans, preferring instead continental slopes and the slopes of
islands along the margins of major seas (see: Joubin 1995). Spirula ’s range is disjunct and
associated with closed circulations of intermediate water masses. For example, in the South Atlantic
Spirula is found only off Namibia and Western Cape, probably expatriated from the south-west
Indian Ocean, where a known population exists (Fig. 2). The small squid was originally described
by Linnaeus (1758) as "Nautilus spirula', then observing only the nacreous shell morphology
available.

Early scientific work on living S. spirula and post-mortem specimens obtained from commercial
fishery by-catch were investigated in the nineteenth century by Gray (1845), Appelldf (1893) and
Pelseneer (1895), and in the first half of the twentieth century by Chun (1910, 1915), Schmidt
( 1 922), Naef ( 1 922, 1 923, 1 928), Boggild 1 930, Kerr (1931), Turek ( 1 933) and Bruun ( 1 943).

Those detailed anatomical and morphological studies have been more recently complemented by
Denton (1962), Clarke (1966), Young (1977), Bandel (1982), Nesis (1984, 1985), Dauphin (1976;
2001a, b), Joubin (1995), Young and Vecchione (1998), Lu (1998), Keupp (2000), Young and
Sweeny (2002) Wamke and Keupp (2005), Lukeneder et al (2008), and Neige and Wamke (2010)
and others.

Fig. 2. Distribution of 5. spirula. Light-grey areas indicate live catches. Dark-grey’ regions mark shells found on
beaches by drifting, and fishery by-catch. Numbers 1-6 correspond to sites in the Luckeneder et al. 2008 study where
shells were collected. Distribution map compiled after Bruun (1943), Goud (1985), Schmidt (1922), Norman (2007)
(modified from Luckeneder et al. 2008).

14

Systematic Classification

Kingdom:

Animalia

Eukaryota

Metazoa

Phylum:

Mollusca

Class:

Cephalopoda

Subclass:

Coleoidea

Neocoleoidea

Superorder

Decapodiformes

Decabranchia

Sepioidea

Order:

Spirulida

Superfamily:

Spirulina

Family:

Spirulidae

Genus:

Spirula

[synonymised. with
Lituus Gray, 1847].

Species:

Spirula spirula
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Type Species: Nautilus spirula Linnaeus, 1758
(basionym) [synonyms:

Spirula fragilis Lamark, 1801;
Spirula australis Lamarck, 1816;
Spirula peroni Lamarck, 1 822 ]

Fig. 3. Lateral view photograph of S. spirula
in life orientation (scale; x 2).

Beachcombers and collectors know the remaindered chambered buoyancy shells by various
common names such as “ram’s-hom-squid” (Clarke 1966; Donovan 1977; Wamke et al. 2003;
Lindgren et al. 2004).” also colloquially as “Neptune’s finger-nails” in the United States of
America, and “little post horns” in Europe - for their resemblance to the horns sounded on old-
fashioned horse coaches.

Biology

Spirula spirula (Figs. 3, 5, 6, 10) is one of the smallest of the cephalopods, with adults usually
about 5-7 cm long, half of this length being the tentacles. With the exception of the Nautilus (see:
Auclair. Lecuyer, Bucher, and Sheppard (2004)), it is also the only cephalopod alive which has a
calcareous decoded spiral tubular shell divided into chambers. These are separated by curve-walled
septa connected by a siphuncle running internally the length of the umbilicus, sealed to all
chambers except the final one (Fig. 5a, b), biologically functioning as an internal ‘float’, sited in a
sagittal plane within the posterior body cavity under thin skin.

The chambered shell of S. spirula located within the posterior of the animal, ranges in diameter
from 18 to 23 mm. Chambers are structured from 3 (in the smallest known juvenile) to 40 (in

15

adults) and are filled with gas (97% nitrogen, 3% oxygen and carbon dioxide) and a little
condensate that buoys the animal within the water column. Buoyancy is regulated by the internal
calcitic shell apparatus, as in fossil ammonites, nautaloids, and modem Nautilus spp. The
phragmocone of S. spirula, connected through a tiny ventral siphuncle, acts as a buoyancy
regulating mechanism able to withstand a pressure of at least 200 atmospheres (Clarke 1986).
Deterioration of the carcass post-mortem releases the buoyancy shell still sealed with gas, so that it
floats to the surface.

Fig. 4. A and B. SEM images of S. spirula aragonitic shell ultrastrueture. In Spirula the connecting ring is composed
of two layers: an outer spherulitic-prismatie layer and an inner glycoprotein layer, of which the latter is not preserved in
dry shells and is structurally similar to that in Recent Nautilus and fossil nautilitid and tarphyceratid nautiloids. (after
Lukeneder et al 2008).

Buoyancy shells of S. spirula are of pure aragonite and the wall is composed of three layers: the
outer prismatic, the middle granular and the innermost prismatic (Appellof 1893; Dauphin 1976;
Dauphin 2001a, b; Doguzhaeva 1996, 2000; Mutvei 1964; Mutvei and Donovan 2006). Chamber
septa are constmcted of four different aragonitic layers (Fig. 4), these being the dorsal conchiolin,
then the sphemlitic-prismatic, a nacreous, and the semi-prismatic layers. Hexagonal aragonite
platelets typical for the nacre layer existing in other cephalopods are absent. Buoyancy shells of S.
spirilla are completely enclosed by the mantle which is subcutaneous and located in a completely
closed sac adhering to the outer wall of the shell (Chun 1915). The shell is open planispirally coiled
and is formed internally within the posterior of the body where it is covered by soft tissue during
most of the squid’s life; only in fully grown adult specimens does the internal shell foraminate the
mantle on the ventral and dorsal sides. Due to its calcareous composition, the buoyancy shell is
suitable for stable isotopic analysis using _1 80 and _1 3C measured successively in chambers of the
aragonitic shell and this data has been used as a biological proxy to interpret ontogenetically related
environmental changes in the cephalopod (Lukeneder et al. 2008).

The mantle of S. spirula is thick, but not fused with the head, cylindrical, thin and muscular
externally with a pair of small round fins attached transversely to posterior end of mantle.

Maximum mantle length is 45 mm, rarely larger. Anterior margin of mantle with 3 pronounced
projections on midline and ventrolaterally on each side of the simple, straight, funnel-mantle
locking cartilages. The animal’s eyes are large, protruding, and are covered by transparent skin as
muscular eyelids. Mobility fins are small, kidney-shaped, near the very end of the body and oblique
to the longitudinal body axis (Fig. 6 A). A large round photophore is located between the fins at the
end of the body (Fig. 6B). The bases of all 6 arms are joined by membrane. Arms have 2 rows of
suckers. Tentacles are retractable each with a thin stem and small widened club distally.

16

b

Fig. 5. S. spirula internal buoyancy shell: a. side view with chambers numbered 1-30 in growth direction; b. Median
section of shell showing chambers separated by septa with internal siphuncle following the umbilical line (modified
from Lukeneder et al 2008).

Fig. 6. A. Diagrammatic lateral internal view of S. spirula showing life position of the buoyancy shell.

B. Diagram of the photophore located between the posterior fins (no scale implied).

The length of Spirula arms increases from ventral to dorsal arms; each arm with 4 to 6 rows of
small suckers; a non-expanded club exists on each long tentacle with 1 6 rows of numerous small
suckers (Fig. 7). All arms (except between ventral arms) are connected with a web. Both ventral
arms of males are hectocotylized (modified arms in males used for transferring spermatophores to
the female), the left arm tip modified into a complex organ of unknown function.

Needham’s sac resides in male Spirula. It is an expanded region of the genital duct at the base of the
penis utilized as a large storage repository for spermatophores. A spermatophore is a packet of
sperm that is formed by the male and passed to the female during mating. In Spirula, this packet is
very complex, containing a sperm mass, an ejaculatory apparatus and a cement body. Except for the
sperm, the entire structure is non-cellular and consists of a complex architecture of secreted
material. The mollusc’s natural colour is creamy-white with maroon-red markings. Egg size is

between 1.5-1. 7 mm diameter; the
maximum length of the smallest juvenile
is 1.5 mm; the maximum length of
adults is up to 7.7 cm.

Fig. 7. Photographic image of one of two
small, widened distal clubs belonging to S.
spirula showing arrangement of club suckers
(from Chun 1910; no scale implied).

17

Cephalotoxin is contained in the venom of S. spinila (as it is in other cephalopods) and is excreted
by the salivary glands; it has a paralyzing effect on prey or predator. Spirula have complex
multicellular organs named ehromatophores (Fig. 8) which they use to change colour rapidly
(enabling homochromism); they constitute a unique motor system that operates upon the
environment without applying force to it.

Fig. 8. Diagram of the ultrastructure of a retracted chromatophore organ: A. axon; C contractile cortex of muscle
fibre; F. folds of cell membrane of chromatophore; G. glial cell; N. nerve terminals; n. nucleus of muscle cell; M.
muscle fibres; m. mitochondria. J. junction between adjacent muscle fibres; S. elastic sacculus; (note: that the sheath
cells that enclose the chromatophore and the muscle fibres are not shown; modified Ifom Cloney and Florey 1 968).

The ehromatophores of Spimla differ fundamentally from those of other animals, being
neuromuscular organs rather than cells and not controlled hormonally. Each chromatophore unit is
composed of a single chromatophore cell and numerous muscle, nerve, glial and sheath cells. Inside
the chromatophore cell, pigment granules are enclosed in an elastic sac, called the cytoelastic
sacculus. To change colour the animal distorts the sacculus form or size by muscular contraction,
changing its translucency, reflectivity or opacity. Spinila can operate ehromatophores in complex,
chromatic displays, resulting in a variety of rapidly changing colour schemes. The nerves that
operate the ehromatophores are thought to be positioned in the brain in a
pattern similar to that of the ehromatophores they each control. This means the pattern of colour
change matches the pattern of neuronal activation. Spinila are also thought to use physiological
colour change for social interaction. They are also skilled at background adaptation, having the
ability to match both the colour and the texture of their environment.

Spirula possesses two sensory statocysts (sense-organs that detect gravity, angular accelerations and
low-frequency sound). Statocysts are embedded within the cephalic cartilage and contain statoliths
located ventrolaterally on either side of a primitive ‘brain’. They are ovoid organs with a single
undivided cavity and are embedded in fibrous tissue where the three main cords of the nervous
system meet. Spinila statocysts are formed from ectodermal invaginations and remnants of these
invaginations persist as a Kolliker canal. The Kolliker canal proceeds laterally from the statocyst
towards the surface by a small pore at the base of the olfactory tentacle, or rhinophore, below the
eye. The inner surface of the canal is ciliated and remains open in the adult (Young 1965). The

18

crista/cupula system of Spintla acts as a gravity receptor organ and can detect rotary movement
(angular acceleration).

Spintla spirilla DNA nucleotide studies have centred on the: rhodopsin gene, pax gene, 12S
ribosomal RNA gene; isolate SP-01 16S ribosomal gene; octopine dehydrogenase gene; strain FU-
ddl hemocyanin gene; strain FU-fg hemocyanin gene; cytochrome c oxidase subunit (COI) gene;
28S ribosomal DNA gene; 18S ribosomal DNA gene; histone H3 gene; 16S ribosomal RNA gene;
clone 40 actin gene; clone 22 actin gene; mitochondrial partial coiii gene; mitochondrial 1 6S rRNA
gene; 12S ribosomal rRNA gene; mitochondrial partial 12S rRNA gene; partial 18S rRNA gene;
partial 28S rRNA gene; mitochondrial coxIII gene; and mitochondria IrRNA gene. Data obtained
from Spirula DNA confirms allocation to the Sepioidea. Some Spintla protein, popset and GEO
profile studies have also been undertaken.

DNA: Rhodopsin Gene, Partial CDs

mRNA<l..>864

/translation="RMNHRRAFLMLIFVWVWSTVWSIGPIFGWGAYVLEGILCSCSFD

YISRDYSTRSNIVCMYLLAFCVPILIIFFCYFNIVMSVSNHEKEMAAMAKRLNAKELR

KAQAGASAEMKLAKISIIIICQFLLSWSPYAIXALLGQFGPIEWITPYLTMIPVMFAK

ASAIFTNPLIYSVSHPKFREAIQENFPFLLTCCRFDDKEVEDDKDAEVELPPEPEGGGE

GGADAAQMKEMMAMMQKMQQQQAAYPPQGAYPPQGYPPPQAGYPPQGYPPPQGYPPPQ

GAPPQTAPPQGV"

ORIGIN

1 agaatgaacc atagaagggc tttccttatg ctcatcttcg tctgggtgtg gtcaaccgtg

61 tggtctatcg gccccatttt cggctggggc gcttacgtat tagagggaat actctgcagt

121 tgctcttttg attatattag tagagattat tcaacacgat ccaacattgt ctgcatgtat

181 ctcctcgctt tttgtgtccc cattcttatc attttcttct gctacttcaa cattgtcatg

241 tccgtgtcca accacgagaa agagatggca gctatggcca agagattgaa tgccaaggaa

301 ttgcgaaagg ctcaggccgg agctagcgct gaaatgaaac tggccaagat ttcaattatc

361 atcatctgtc agttcttgct ctcctggagt ccctatgcna tcntggcact tcttggccag

421 ttcggtccaa ttgagtggat aacaccttat ctcaccatga tccctgtcat gttcgccaag

481 gcttctgcta tccacaaccc actaatctac tctgtatctc accctaagtt ccgtgaggct

541 atccaagaga atttcccatt tttactcaca tgttgtcgat tcgatgacaa ggaagttgaa

601 gatgacaaag acgcagaagt tgaacttccc cctgagccgg agggtggcgg cgagggcggc

661 gctgatgctg cccagatgaa ggaaatgatg gctatgatgc agaagatgca acaacagcag

721 gccgcttatc caccacaagg agcataccca ccacagggtt acccgccacc acaagcagga

781 tacccaccac agggatatcc accaccacaa ggatacccac caccccaagg agcacctcca

841 caaacagccc cacctcaggg ggtt

12S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence; mitochondrial:
rRNA complement (<1 ..>399)

ORIGIN

1 cgcattataa aacctaattc acaaaaactc actatttata tatatgttta ttactaccaa

61 gtccaacctc ataaattagt tacataattt aatcagataa aaaattataa atcgtagctc

121 actttcaata tcttttctat tagctgcatt ttgacttgac attataacct cacattatta

181 agttttttcc aaaattttta caaaataaac tgacgacagc aatatacaaa ctgatattat

241 tcaaaaaaaa gtaagtataa attgaggatt atcaaattat taagcaagct cccctggaag

301 gatatataac accgccaagc cttttaaatt tcaaacataa acgtacttta cattatttac

361 attcatacta cttaagtaac aaatttttaa aataaagaa

NOTE; Neige and Wamke (2010) used morphometry to provide a criterion for determining
termination of shell growth (i.e.: decrease in whorl height) in comparing 1 10 5. spintla shells from
five geographical areas. In that study they found that characteristics of adult shells of S. spirula
varied with geographical origin and that specimens from Madagascar, New Zealand and Brazil are
larger than those from North-West Africa and Australia. Neige and Wamke (2010) suggested that
(:1) ‘'these findings challenge the monospecific status of the genus Spirula but fall short of proving
the occurrence of more than one species.”

19

Ecology and Environment

The body of Spiru/a is cylindrical and whitish, with rust-red or brown stippled markings. When
threatened or disturbed it retracts arms, tentacles and head under the toughened mantle into the
mantle cavity, sealing shut the open end for protection. It is one of the few deep-sea animals that
can withstand water temperature, salinity, and pressure differentials when captured and brought to
the surface. Consequently it has been kept alive for long periods of time in shipboard aquaria (Idyll
1976). Scientists on the Danish research ship Dana (1920-1922) were amongst the first to live-
capture Spirilla. They recorded its swift, jerky movements as it swam by squirting water from its
little siphon. Until the “Dana” expeditions only 13 specimens had been captured. Almost nothing
was known of the biology and distribution of Spirilla until the preliminary note by the leader of
those expeditions, Jobs Schmidt was published in 1922. The note contained observations of live
specimens as well as a short outline of results derived from the 95 specimens caught.

Spirilla normally lives in a vertical position with the hectocolylizcd arms, eyes and head pointed
toward the ocean bottom, so that it floats or swims with the head and tentacles dangling downwards
(Fig.3). The coleoidid achieves this by regulating internal buoyancy whilst fluttering two fins at the
body posterior (the uppermost end), to aid swimming. The work of Bruun (1943) and that of
Denton (1962) helped elucidate upon the hydrostatic mechanism of Spirula. Biologists of the
Danish Galathea Deep Sea Expedition (1950-1952) caught some of the earliest live-taken
specimens of Spirula in both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, observing and documenting their
morphology and behaviour.

Spirilla makes considerable daily vertical bathymetric migrations and is stenohaline. The distended,
malleable properties of Spirilla's visceral mass is able to withstand the great changes of pressure
encountered during such rising and sinking, as can the buoyancy shell which has chambers filled
with gas of commensurate pressure. Apparently the gas can only be regulated in the final shell
chamber since all others are sealed. It is uncertain whether gas is able to pass through the pores of
the shell to also facilitate gas regulation. Between its two posterior fins Spirula has a small ducat
photophore pointing toward the ocean’s surface that is capable of being “shuttered” by the animal
by means of a mobile diaphragm. Unlike the luminescent organs of many other deep-sea creatures
which flicker on and off, Spirula is able to (if required), use the photophore to shine steadily with a
pale, yellowish-green light (Cousteau and Diole 1973; Idyll 1976).

S. spirula occurs mainly over continental and insular slopes and in the open ocean not far from such
slopes. Lukeneder et al. (2008) measured stable isotopes (180 and 13C) in successive chambers of
Tasman Sea S. spirula aragonitic shells collected from Ulladallah, south-east Sydney coast (Figs. 2,
5). The stable isotopes of Tasman Sea S. spirula shells indicate that these squid spawn on the sea
floor at a depth of > 1000m, hatching in the benthos. Evidence suggests that larvae do not migrate.
Development is almost direct. Embryonic stages, and their bathymetric realm are reflected in the
13C carbon signatures obtained; the data demonstrates S. spirilla's life cycle in bathyal depths after
hatching. Migratory behaviour is initiated after forming the first chambers (Lu 1998), when juvenile
squid then move into warmer, shallower waters at outer-shelf (400-600 m) depths. Spirula is
documented by fisheries data as having a diurnal migration into inner shelf waters (c. 200m)

(Clarke 1970), not reflected in the isotope data of Lukeneder et al. (2008), probably because Spirula
reduce biomineralisation during that developmental phase. Spirula' s isotope signatures peak during
midlife, perhaps due to sexual maturation, prior to migrating as they grow older into a shallower,
warmer habitat, confirmed by fishery catch data.

Isotopic 13C values indicated four ontogenic phases: embryonic, juvenile, adolescent, and adult.
Isotopic 180 data specifies a minimum environmental temperature of 4.3°C in S. spirula' s
embryonic stage, 13.4°C in adolescent specimens, and 9.1°C in their last months of life, when, at

20

the age of approximately 1.5 year (Clarke 1970) S. spirula migrates into deeper, cooler water where
they spawn. Isotope 180 data supports this showing a stable phase during S. spirilla's first month of
life (Fig. 8). Embryos probably stay in cooler waters for the first phase of life. Upward migrations
apparently start at around chamber 5 (see: Fig. 5). The isotope 18 O curve illustrates that the lowest
depth (a water column temperature of 13.4°C) is reached coincident with sexual maturity, also
reflected in the isotope 13C signature. The same ontogenetic differences were observed by Clarke
(1970) when reporting three different size-groups in 256 S. spirula specimens caught by fishery
vessels with different types of nets around Fuerteventura Island (Canary Islands, Northern
Hemisphere). The largest individuals were 2. 4-4. 6 cm in maximum mantle length, with mature
females being smaller.

The isotopel80 data suggest that after hatching at depths >1,000 m at temperatures of 4-6°C, the
squid migrate into shallower, warmer waters at 12-14°C at depths of 400-600 m. Subsequently, the
increasing isotopel80 values suggest a migration back into somewhat cooler, deeper habitats. The
isotopel3C values also revealed three ontogenetic stages in specimens, including a major shift from
positive to negative values, which probably corresponds to sexual maturation, the initiation of
reproduction, and concomitant changes in diet. The data, combined with the scanty life history
information from previous studies of S. spirula, can be used to compare the habitat requirements of
related extant and fossil cephalopod genera.

ff r f y f fi' f I I T"f r y f ? 1 I I r '."'i-f | t i r i | «

/

II

B

Fig. 9. 180 isotope data for six shells each of S. spirula from the Southern Hemisphere: A. Indian Ocean; B. Tasman

Sea (after Lukeneder et al 2008).

In summary, the small squid spawns on the bottom at bathyal depths. Early juveniles ascend to mid-
shelf depths, and late juveniles, adolescents, immature sub-adults, and adults migrate from approx.
100-300 m at night to 500-1000 m at day.

Spirula spirula apparently spawns in deep water benthic habitats over the deepest slopes ( 1 ,000-
2,000 m), with optimal location about tropical islands (Bruun 1943; Clarke 1970; Goud 1985;
Young et al. 1998). Females are thought to lay strings of white eggs attached together stuck to
benthic debris on the bottom of the lower continental slope at depths down to 1,750 m. This
breeding strategy is comparable to many other middle-shelf to abyssal open-water nektonic
cephalopods, although most benthic inhabitants prefer shallower depths, inner- to middle-shelf

21

GROWTH CHANGES

Fig. 10. Growth stages in S. spinda: A. larvae - F. mature adult (A-E modified from Nesis 1984, F is rendered after
various sources).

As is characteristic of many nektonic ocean dwellers, S. spirula undertakes vertical diurnal
migrations (Clarke 1969) into shallower waters to feed on other molluscs, plankton, and small
pelagic crustaceans such as krill, copepods, and ostracods, confirmed by specimen stomach
dissections (Nixon and Dilly 1977). Prey selection also appears to be an attribute of the small
cephalopod (Kerr 1931; Young 1977). Squid are known to be cannibals and this may also be true
for S. spirilla (Cousteau and Diole 1973).

Summary

Depth distribution of S. spirula changes with age. Juvenile (smallest) specimens of exist at depths
of 1,000-1,750 m Bruun (1943), with the latter depth suggested by Clarke (1969) to be the oceanic
thermocline unable to be crossed. Adult S. spirula occur in depths of 550-1,000 m during the day
(concentrated at 600-700 m), with night animal aggregations recorded at 100 to 300 m
(concentrated at 200-300 m) (Clarke 1969). The _180 data of covering adult S. spirula specimens
sourced from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and the Tasman Sea suggests that after hatching at
depths >1,000 m at temperatures of 4— 6°C, S. spirula migrate into shallower, warmer waters at 12-
14°C at depths of 400-600 m. Subsequent increasing _180 values then suggest a migration of the
squid back into cooler, deeper habitats. Additionally _13C values revealed three apparent
ontogenetic stages including a major shift from positive to negative values, probably corresponding
to sexual maturation, reproduction initiation, and concomitant changes in diet. A fourth embryonic
stage (not detected in the oxygen data) accompanied by markedly less positive _13C values in the
first few chambers of the buoyancy shell, has been recorded in Atlantic and Indian Ocean
specimens, but not those of the Tasman Sea (Lukeneder et al 2008).

Pristine buoyancy shells provide a reliable geochemical archive, reflecting ontogenetic, feeding,
migration and life-span (see: Eichler and Ristedt (1966), Cochran et al. (1981), Taylor and Ward
(1983), Rexfort and Mutterlose (2006), Landman et al. (1983, 1994), and Lukeneder et al (2008).
Otherwise, interpretations of the ecology and habitat preferences of this cephalopod species are
currently based on dredging.

Fossil Record

Cephalopods possess a surprisingly good fossil record, based not on the preservation of soft tissue
morphology, but on the preservation of calcareous biological buoyancy structures. These robust
ancestral ‘shells’ preserved by mineral replacement in ancient rocks derived from primeval ocean
sediments indicate that most of the fantastic overspecialisation possessed by many of the prehistoric
forms of cephalopod have disappeared. Nautilus, represented now by six species, is the sole
survivor of thousands of species that swarmed the seas in Paleozoic and Mesozoic times between 65
and 542 million years ago.

22

Though derived from a primitive monoplacophoran mollusc similar to the bathyal species Neopilina
galathea, the primitive cephalopod S. spirilla radiated away from an external exoskeleton suited to
a semi-sedentary benthic repose, to that of an external chambered shell more suited to a nektonic
mode of life. As the mollusc outgrew each successive chamber grown, these were filled with
biologically produced gas, enabling buoyancy in the water column and permitting the animal a
better freedom of movement by reducing drag. An early example of this is Orthoceras de Blainville,
1825 a Paleozoic nautaloid well known from the Ordovician rocks of Morocco and elsewhere. A
more sophisticated example is the New Zealand Early Jurassic (Hettangian) ammonite Psiloceras
Hyatt, 1 867 representing a much later development stage of the cephalopod group. At about this
time two main evolutionary lines diverged with one branch producing the Nautiloida, including the
modem tropical Nautilus with a coiled and many chambered external shell, and the other branch
resulting in the squid-like more or less straight and many chambered internal shelled Belemnitida.

Belemnites were a successful group that evolved internal shells as a means of stream-lining
flotation capability as well as utilising the weight of the gas-filled shell as ballast when swimming
efficiently (e.g. hydrostatic qualities). Preserved in the fossil record belemnites resemble elongated
stone bullets and were called “thunderbolts” by 1 6th Century “curiosity” seekers who thought that
they were flung from the sky. New Zealand belemnites are common in the Jurassic and Cretaceous
periods, with some stages more profuse in numbers than others. Belemnopsis aucklandica
(Hochstetter, 1863) is a Late Jurassic belemnite stratigraphic marker fossil for the Puaroan Stage
and Dimitobelus lindsayi (Hector, 1 874), the same for the Late Cretaceous Piripauan Stage.
Belemnites appear to have become extinct in the Eocene, Early Cenozoic.

Squid, cuttlefish, and octopuses are not direct phylogenetic descendants of the belemnites, but
radiations of that ancient group of cephalopods. Their relationship to the belemnites is indicated by
the: internal cuttlefish ‘bone’ of Sepia officinalis', the pen (a thin, homy internal skeleton) in the
squids such as Architheuthis princeps; and a few calcareous grains in the octopuses such as Octopus
vulgaris Lamarck, all recorded from New Zealand waters. It is generally acknowledged by
cephalopod workers that S. spirula is a living descendent radiated from the belemnites. A specimen
captured by scientists aboard the oceanic exploration voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the
ship’s exploration years 1873-1876 was entmsted to T. H. Huxley for description. Huxley was at
the time on the lookout for modem belemnites perhaps thought to live in deep ocean refiigia.
However, Huxley did not consider S. spirula to be one or even related to the ancient precursor.
Spirula" s most obvious link with the belemnites is a chambered internal shell, albeit coiled
planispirally like a ram’s horn. It is the only known living cephalopod possessing this morphology.

The Spimlida, are derived from precursors having a spherical initial chamber that later underwent
abbreviated ontogenesis, become reduced, and lost the spherical protoconcha. Evolution towards the
Spimlida sensu stricto is exemplified in Cretaceous Naefia having a mdimentary spur-like
proostracum flattened out and only a short basal ring-like part of the living chamber (the cingulum
camerae terminalis), remaining. Early Cretaceous Adygeya from the European Caucasus, described
by Doguzhaeva (1996), exhibits similar morphology, indicating that morphological change took
place early Late Mesozoic. Fossil Adygeya possess only a slightly cyrtocone shell but already had a
completely smooth edged terminal chamber like that of Spirula (Haas 2003).

The numerous fossil forms of the Spimlidae have been split into many genera so that only some
morphologically important forms are represented here (Fig. 1 1 ; in more or less typological ranking).
Notable in the Spimlida is the edge of the last chamber as an insertion site for the obsolete muscular
mantle and insertion of retractor muscles. The muscular mantle is now located outside of the
cingulum rim at a club- or bowl-shaped rostmm to which it is attached. This evolutionary trait
provides visceral space, especially for the gonad, which emigrated from the last chamber (Fig. 3).
Only the posterior part of the digestive gland remains within the former living chamber. An

endogastric coiling of the longicone shell is observed in the Spirulida, evidential by the slight
curvature of the apical part of the phragmoconus of primitive ancestors like Groenlandibelus,

Naefia and Adygeya. Progressive stages of the above-mentioned descensus viscerum are also
demonstrated in reconstructions of Eocene Beloptera de Blainville 1827 (fossil cuttlefish from
Germany), and Miocene Spindirostra (from Italy; Fig. 11c). Amerirostra is another Spiruildae, but
the theca has a higher degree of coiling than in Spindirostra and there is an almost isolated dorsal
plate originating from the epiconcha which is connected only by a narrow bridge with the
epiconchal envelope of the theca (Jeletzky 1966, 1969). It must be assumed that the muscular
mantle inserted at the edges of that dorsal plate. In most of the Tertiary forms a heavy rostrum
possibly served as a counterbalance for the phragmoconus to keep the animal in a more or less
horizontal position. Their robust morphology suggests highly manoeuvrable, short distance
swimmers living near the sea floor. In Spirula the rostrum is given up and only a thin epiconcha
covering the spiral remains. With reduction of the heavy rostrum, Spinila changed from a benthic to
a bathypelagic life style. Some of its autapomorphies in this context are: loss of the radula,
possession of a terminal light organ, and small circular apical fins positioned at the end of the body
(Haas 2003).

The internal longicone, multi-chambered Spirulidae buoyancy shell follows the formula of an
endogastrically coiled logarithmic spiral with loose whorls. Primitive representatives of the family
show only curving of the apical part whereas growth of the proximal portion of the shell is
tangential to that of the spiral. In later evolutionary steps the spiral portion increasingly took
possession of the tangential part. Contrasting other Decabrachia, modem Spimlida have altered
their stmcture by relinquishing the shells terminal chamber as a living repository, to accommodate
part of the digestive gland. The Spimlida with a sphaeroidal initial chamber, are characterised by
the following major synapomorphies: total reduction of the proostracum and endogastric
incurvation or coiling of the narrow phragmoconus. The fast-moving nektonic carnivore fossil
genera Belemnosis, Belemnosella, Spimlirostra d' Orbigny, 1 842 and Amerirostra form the stem-
lineage of Spimla. Groenlandibelus, Naefia and Adygeya (from the Lower Cretaceous of the
Caucasus described by Doguzhaeva (1996)), are presently assigned to the stem-lineage of the
Spimlida.

Fig. 11. A. Diagrams showing the likely evolution of modem S. spirula from an early gastropod-like ancestor. The
animals are drawn in simplified section, a Orthoceras, a Palaeozoic nautaloid with many-chambered external shell; b.
Mesozoic Belemnopsis belemnite with internal shell; c. Cenozoic cephalopod Spindirostra with partially spiral internal
chambered shell, d. Cenozoic and Recent S. spirula with internal spiral shell.

B. Photographs (a. oblique lateral, b. internal coil) of the internal cast of a six-chambered segment of a New
Zealand Early Miocene Spinda internal chambered buoyancy shell (B. from Hayward 1976). No scale implied.

24

An inventory of New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca compiled by paleontologist and conchologist P.
Maxwell (2009: 232-254) lists the Aturiidae, Hercoglossidae, and Nautilidae of the subclass
Nautaloidea and Argonautidae of the order Octopoda. No member of the subclass Dibranchia,
family Spirulidae is recorded therein. However, Hayward (1976) described a (Lower Altonian
(Burdigalian; Early Miocene)) six-chambered segment of a broken Spirula phragmocone (Auckland
University Paleontolgical Collection Number AU2376)). The 12mm specimen segment was found
at N28/f633, N28/728332, in a Im thick, massive, fossiliferous, coarse volcarenite cliffs, 100m
north of Paparoa Point, west Hukatere Peninsula, Kaipara Harbour, northern New Zealand.
Hayward’s discussion (:147) correctly states “There is no trace of a guard in this New Zealand
fossil nor any sign of straightening of the phragmocone (a character of Spirulirostrea; (see:
Fomasiero and Vicariottio 1997). Its remarkable morphological similarity to living Spirula leaves
little doubt that Hayward correctly named the specimen and that this genus had evolved by the
lower Miocene, possibly as a branch of the Spirulirostridae (Easton 1960: 476).” Spirula' s small
size, gyroconic shape, septa chambered shell, aragonitic shell composition, susceptibility to
fragmentation by crushing, and leaching probably precludes preservation and is the reason for
global rarity in the fossil record. The much colder climate of the New Zealand Pliocene and
Pleistocene periods may have also precluded colonization, reflected by a non-appearance in the
New Zealand fossil record.

The unusual morphology of Spirula accommodates many paleontological papers as a modem genus
attempting to interpret the prehistoric ecology of Mesozoic belemnites and ammonites; S. spirula
affords an insight into the autecology of these prehistoric organisms, complements the evolutionary
history, and offers a modem appreciation of ecological and environmental range of the group. It is
possible that application of relevant isotopic methods to Mesozoic ammonites and belemnites as
undertaken with Recent cephalopods, may reveal the strategies and environmental conditions of
fossil faunas.

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25

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http://tolweb.org/accessory/Spriulidae_Taxa?acc_id=2337

TE TOHEROA

W. B. Weber - Kumeu, West Auckland

When I was bom in 1941, the Toheroa played major part in the family's diet, until it became illegal
to interfere with them at all. We used them as bait, or ate them raw right there on the beach. They
could be steamed open, minced with onions for fritters and tomato sauce added afterwards. On the
beach they could be steamed open on the exhaust manifold of the old cars that were used to cart us
to our favourite fishing spots, and would be ready for a fastfood snack upon arrival.

Toheroa soup was excellent, and was exported as a delicacy worldwide. The trouble is they are in
decline, and no one seems to be able to grow them, but 1 imagine if we could, we could just about
pull this country out of debt, if we had this knowledge. All of these things came to mind after my
short stay at Muriwai Camp the other day.

I remember when we would always dig a few, in rough west coast weather to take with us up the
beach to the Kaipara for bait, and eating in the shelter of the harbour. You could take 2 or 3 as
reserve bait while fishing and plant them reverse end up in the sand so they could not escape. The
Toheroa would try every trick to topple themselves so they could quickly bury themselves and
escape. As the tide came in, they would release themselves from the sand and allow the tidal current
to carry them away.

They didn't like this sandspit. Nor did they like certain areas of the main beach and would always
behave in that manner where they did not like it. Many years later 1 discovered that it was the lack
of inflow of ground water from inshore that caused their dislike. Run-off from super phosphate and
now, petro chemical fertilisers in ground water entering their world may well cause their demise, as
well as the greedy harvesters.

If you study the Toheroa bed position, it is always at the entrance of the groundwater inflow to the
beach and never as with other shellfish that get bigger at the hard to get, seaward side of the bed.
The drier the weather on land, the deeper the Toheroa are. Whereas in spring, when ground water
inflow is strong, they are always shallow in the sand and sometimes right out on top of the beach.

Because of restrictions on Toheroa, my then times fishing mate carted a load of Houhora Tua-tuas
from where East Beach meets the Houhora Harbour, to Muriwai, and I helped plant them at suitable
spots along the beach, right to the lagoon entrance. I have never seen any of these since that time.

To get back to the Toheroa, I must tell you about the time this same fishing mate and myself were
laying on the beach having a rest from fishing, well above the high water mark, when he spotted a
Toheroa squirt hole. Or so he said. I laughed away as he dug to get this inland Toheroa. This was in
a time of drought and groundwater flows were slow. He dug to about 60cm before he spotted the
Toheroa, where there was a good flow of groundwater, and I watched, fascinated to see that the
more he dug, the more the hole collapsed and the faster the Toheroa moved. This Toheroa moved
faster than any I had ever seen and it finally escaped capture by my mate.

This exercise caused us both to think about this groundwater that didn't come from the sea and
many times we would dig for it at the 29 mile mark where sandhills are sparse and the sand between
is always damp, flat, and hard enough to drive on. If we could get a bucket of water here, we didn't
need to go back to the creek and could prolong our holiday. After rethinking about it, the water dug
up was quite horrible.

28

In later years, after a fairly strenuous plant dig in my nursery, I decided to have a day off and
retreated to the sand hills in the winter sun to read a book on my own. It was probably in August
1975. 1 settled on a sand hill in the clear still weather and commenced reading, with the background
sounds of moderate surf. It was glorious. After about half an hour reading, I suddenly noticed a
Toheroa on the top of the sand hill lying on its side, beside me with its shell one quarter open. I
quickly got up and looked around, no-one anywhere - no birds around, no practical jokers. I got
down to eyeball the Toheroa and it looked in good condition, no smell, fresh as a daisy, when
suddenly it started convulsing in a vigorous manner. Open, shut, open, shut, rocking around the
sand as it did so, and this carried on for quite some time. I thought to myself what have I come
across here, so I got down to inspect it more - to eyeball the Toheroa. I couldn't detect anything
except a very healthy pulsating opening and shutting Toheroa. I stood up to look around for birds,
witnesses anything, but there was nobody, just a peaceful, glorious, clear still day with winter sun
on the sandhill and the background sound of moderate surf As I looked back at the Toheroa, I
noticed it wasn't there. "What!" it had disappeared. The area had been fairly well disturbed by this
time and I could not make any sense of the marking on the sand. I thought I had better keep this one
to myself, you don't know what other people might think.

I would have, except that when I returned home, I was washing my hands over a stainless steel tub
,and I noticed in the mirror, white specks in my dark beard. I gave them a bit of a rub and to my
surprise the sand that fell from my beard was not sand, but baby Toheroas, 1mm - 2mm in size. I
wouldn't have noticed except when they fell 900mm to the tub bottom, they rebounded back up
450mm.

Now, in my retirement years, I still marvel that very little of the Toheroa is seen in the news, and
what a rich food source it would be if we could only grow them. While walking on Muriwai Beach
in December 2012 I did observe small Toheroa 10mm to 5mm size in groups of about 50 to a 6
square meter area. They did not appear on the beach until the retreating wave sweep diminished to
about 5mm depth, when they would suddenly appear in unison to filter the plankton rich water, only
to disappear again in unison as the water flow ceased. Sometimes when the diminishing wave of
moderate force reached 150mm to 50mm depth, they would push themselves fi'om the sand in
unison and travel with the water flow to a new position on the beach, and again in unison pull
themselves beneath the sand.

After talking to a fisherman at the beach about this, he said he had witnessed Toheroa of a larger
size moving with the water flow to change location in unison, but had not ever seen Toheroas
10mm to 5mm before. I tell you, they're there alright but certain rules must be obeyed to observe
them. The Toheroa observed this day did not appear on cue. If I stood in the water that flowed in
their direction, they seemed to know that I was there. If I stood in water flowing away from them,
they didn't mind, but if one Toheroa was touched, the immediate surrounding Toheroas would
disappear.

When they disappeared, it was not just under the sand. They headed for 30mm at least and could
achieve that in 3 seconds. If however, I could flick a Toheroa from its tongue-hold, it would remain
dead still on the beach surface just like some worms do.

As adult Toheroa are always found at the point of ground water inflow from beneath the sand, it
must surely be important to them to be able to adjust their position on the beach to survive. These
small Toheroa were today mostly at the ground water inflow point, but quite a few groups were
well above that point, almost half way to the high water mark.

Interesting stuff isn't it? Well, for me anyway. I'm not qualified at anything, but by writing this I am
hoping to improve the Toheroa survival rate.

29

THE EGG CASES, PROTOCONCHS AND EARLY WHORLS OF
NERITA MELANOTRAGUS E.A. SMITH, 1884

Margaret S. Morley

Nerita melanotragus attaches large numbers of individual white egg cases on high tidal rocks
especially around pools (pers. obs.). They are deposited between November and January, hatch after
three weeks, and larvae settle between May and July. The veliger lives in the plankton for 5-6
months, and the lifespan of an individual is up to 5 years (Waters et al., 2005).

During a marine survey with Bruce Hayward at Cudlip Point at the south head of Mahurangi
Harbour on 22 July 2005, two specimens of Nerita less than 2 mm were found in shell sand. These
were puzzling because they were pale with a checker board pattern (Fig. 1). I searched for other
likely Nerita species and wondered if they could be introduced e.g. Nerita undata, which is
abundant in the Pacific (Abbott & Dance, 1982).

Fig. 1. Nerita melanotragus juvenile from Cudlip Fig. 2. Nerita melanotragus juvenile from Opahi

Point. Width 1.7 mm. Beach. Width 1.9 mm.

Being keen to find the answer I again visited Cudlip Point and nearby Opahi Beach on 4 August
2005 and examined some hundreds of living N melanotragus on both rocky platforms on the
unlikely chance that there were pale adult specimens present. When this drew a blank I searched for
eggs or juveniles. Most of the juveniles were already eroded to white at the tip of the spire, making
it impossible to see the protoconch. Over 20 juveniles measuring 4-6 mm were examined but the
pale patterning could not be seen, only the two smooth white whorls of the protoconch in three
uneroded specimens. At home I was disappointed not to find any more juvenile Nerita specimens in
the large bag of shell sand when examined under the microscope.

At this point my luck changed, while at Opahi Beach on the second visit I had taken several clumps
of the oyster Saccostrea cucuUata to see if any were C. gigas. Under the microscope I finally fluked
a small juvenile Nerita, measuring 1.9 mm, tucked into a crevice between the oysters (Fig. 2). The
protoconch was still intact, when compared to the previous small specimens it showed that although
the speckling varies, all those seen had pale early whorls. These were very thin, so why does this
pale, speckled beginning not show on the adult shell? It appears that they are immersed by
succeeding whorls as the animal grows its shell, thus becoming rapidly covered over. In most adults
all traces of the pale protoconch are eroded away (Fig. 3). Erosion in this species is accelerated by
the thinness of the early whorls and because Nerita melanotragus generally live high on the shore
where they are exposed to rain, freshwater runoff and sun during a large part of the tidal cycle.

So it seems that Nerita undata has not arrived in New Zealand - yet.

30

i

Fig. 3. Adult Nerita melanotragns from the Tamaki Estuary. Width 30 mm.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Ashwaq Sabaa who scanned my drawings and Bruce Hayward who suggested
improvements and formatted the article.

References

Abbott, T.R & Dance, S.P. 1982. Compendium of Sea Shells. Dutton Inc. New York, 41 1 p.
Waters, J.M., King, T.M., O’Loughlin, P.M. & Spencer, H.G. 2005. Phylogeographical disjunction
in abundant high-dispersal littoral gastropods. Molecular Ecology 14: 2789-2802.

THE JOKE THAT BACKFIRED

Margaret Morley and Bruce Hayward

In the last issue of Poirieria (p. 13) there was a story of a joke played by Baden Powell on Maijorie
Mestayer, curator of molluscs at the Dominion Museum. A more plausible version has since been
given by Hamish Spencer and verified by Richard Willan. They heard Baden tell the anecdote
himself at the 50th anniversary of our Club.

He sent a new shell-shaped pasta to Maijorie and told her they were Ovula spagettii but he did not
hear back. Sometime later he was visiting the Dominion Museum and was amused to see these on
display, complete with name. A more careful reading however, made him realise with horror that
the joke was on him: the last line on the label read ''"Donated by A. W.B. Poweir\

Thanks to Hamish and Richard for bringing this more accurate version to our notice.

Reference

Hayward, B.W. and Morley, M.S., 2011. Marjorie Mestayer (1880-1955) and her molluscan studies
and collections. Poirieria, 36: 13-19.

31

TRIP TO EAST DIAMOND ISLET, CORAL SEA, NOV/2012

Heather Smith

East Diamond Islet is a very small, beautiful island east of Cairns, beyond the Great Barrier Reef in
the Coral Sea. Our party included sixteen Australians, one Canadian and myself from New Zealand.
We boarded the Eastern Voyager in Gladstone and
headed out on 10th November 2012 for an amazing
shelling trip. Cheryl Myers and Sally Johnsen from the
Brisbane Shell Club organised the trip. Chris Pike the
owner of the boat, Danny our Skipper, Jason and Nathan
were our four crew members. Previous trips for me, with
this group, have been to Frederick Reef 2008, Gould
Reef 2010 and the outer Swain Reefs 2011.

For the first time Eastern Voyager and sister ship Tura
were moored at their own pontoon in Gladstone making
boarding and disembarking in any tide far easier than the
previous trips from Gladstone wharf!

Saturday 10th November: Ed Frazer, Robert Ellis, Cheryl Myers and I left Brisbane early for the
five hour drive to Gladstone. By 4. 1 5pm we had all loaded our gear on the Eastern Voyager and
were heading out from Gladstone Harbour via the North Entrance. Strong easterly winds were
forecast for the next day! The original plan was to go to the Swain Reefs, and from there across the
Coral Sea to East Diamond but instead it was decided to go north inside the Great Barrier Reef,
spending some time at reefs approaching Hydrographer’s Passage east of Townsville, and when the
winds abated, pass through the Passage out to the Coral Sea. This would give us a much shorter
distance across the open Coral Sea. (See map) As we headed north the south-easterly winds grew
stronger and the sea more boisterous until we reach our first destination Paul Reef

Sunday 11**’: At 3.00pm as we approached our anchorage the hull of our boat bounced lightly over
a bommie! The owner Chris assured us that the boat had come off better than the bommie! (A
bommie is a very large clump of coral) The wind was too strong for five dinghies to be launched
here, but the seven divers were able to go in from the tail board of the Eastern Voyager. Visibility
was poor and little of interest was found.

Monday \2^^: At 5.20am we weighed anchor and left St Paul heading for Chauvel Reef arriving
just in time for lunch. Two dredging dinghies and one dinghy with divers set out in strong winds.
Dredging was not comfortable in these conditions and it was agreed that we all deserved a “Lunatic
Certificate”! However some nice shells were collected including Terebras, Bivalves, Strombs and
Olives. But the real find were two Cymhiola (Cymbiolacca) pulchra peris ticta, one dredged and the
other found by a diver. These shells rarely occur as far north as Chauvel Reef Passengers with beds
in cabins right up against the engine room heard the anchor hauling in as the engines started at
midnight!

32

1

Tuesday 13^*'; We travelled north through choppy seas to
Bugatti Reef dropping anchor around 9.50am. This reef lies
on the South side of Hydrographer Passage. The lighthouse
beacons which mark the passage were visible in the
distance and we occasional saw ships passing through the
passage. Despite strong wind, dinghies set out with
dredging parties, divers and fishing parties. We stayed the
night here.

Wednesday H***; We were all on deck at 6.00am to
watch the eclipse. Some of the sun was obscured as the
moon travelled between our planet and the sun. The
light was slightly dimmed! It certainly was a sight to
remember! We dredged again. Over two days of
collecting here the dominant species were Terebra:
maculata, subulata and the lovely orange guttata,

Oliva miniacea, two Malea pomum and a sundial
Architectonica perspectiva. But by far the most
interesting find was the golden form of Volutidae
amoria maculata. Some were found live and some
hermit crabbed. By 1 1.45am we were on our way. The
crew warned us that as we travelled through
Hydrographer Passage we may encounter some rough
sea! They were right! Most of us had moved to the
back deck as we watched wave after wave come
crashing down over the top deck and slosh down the
sides on our deck. For ten to fifteen minutes we held
our breath and hung on! Nobody suggested putting on
lifejackets! Eventually the sea levelled out and our
skipper appeared. He did say his heart rate was
returning to normal and that he had been either been
holding his breath or swearing as we rode the big
waves! Apparently the tide was heading in one
direction and the wind in the other. As our little ship climbed to the top of one wave and dropped
over it, the next wave struck over top of us! Once into the Coral Sea there was a large swell but not
the short huge waves of the passage. We realised what great control over the boat the crew actually
had when they heard Julie and Robyn chatting on the side deck below. The skipper turned the boat
slightly starboard a couple of times to splash the pair and then he turned the boat much more and
the biggest wave splashed over drenching them both! Some of the keen fishermen had lines over the
side and when a large fish was hooked somebody would run forward on our deck and bang loudly
on a side panel. The skipper above would bring the boat to a grinding halt! The boat wallowed in
the swell while we all watched the fish being hauled on
board.

Thursday 15***: Around lunch time we saw the very
welcomed sight of East Diamond Islet. After six days
of traveling we were all eager to put our feet on dry
land. The anchor was dropped in calm water and we
marvelled at the white sand, clear blue water and the
prolific bird life. The dinghies were launched. On
landing it was difficult deciding what to do first. It took
45 minutes to walk around the island collecting dead

33

shells from the high tide water line and watching many
orange hermit crabbed shells scuttling up and down the
beach. Some of the hermit crabs were wearing holes in
their old shells and three hermit crabs had chosen new
‘apartments’ in plastic lids for their homes. (It’s
possible that Cyclone Yasi Feb/201 1 washed many
shells ashore and the crabs took advantage of this but
now their shells are all occupied and wearing out!) The
bird life was abundant! Red Footed Boobies with chicks
and Lesser Frigate Birds with chicks roosted in low
scrub around the edge of the island. Brown Boobies and
Masked Boobies nestled on the sand protecting eggs
and chicks. All these large birds were not afraid of
humans and it was possible to get very close for
photographs. Brown and Black Noddy Turns and many
Sooty Terns all with eggs or chicks were nesting on the
ground in scrub further in. Some very small tern chicks
were trying to protect themselves from the sun by
crouching up close to pieces of coral on the sand spit at
one end of the island. They were incredibly
camouflaged and one had to be careful not to stand on
them. The purpose for our visit was to look for the
legendary Volute Cymbiola (Cymbiolacca) perpUcata.
This shell was named in 1902 but the locality where it
was collected was unknown until Tom Nielson in 1974
discovered its habitat on islands in the Coral Sea. Two
dredging dinghies went to work. One boat brought up a
live adult perpUcata and the second dredge crew
brought up a juvenile which was quickly returned to the
water. When the divers went down in the evening a
second live adult was collected. But these were the only
live specimens found. During our stay a few dead
specimens were collected on the island. Overall
dredging on East Diamond Islet was a little
disappointing as none of the expected Strombus vomer
or the white form of Harpa major were dredged. Most
dredging runs returned with only rubble, and no shells
at all. The divers found two large specimens of Oliva
sericea and some Lambis chiragra. The snorkelers
produced perhaps the best results with more Lambis
chiragra, Lambis trimcata and Oliva armulata.
Advantage was taken of the exceptional low tides on
both mornings, so collecting expeditions went ashore in
the dark and with torches walked to the far side of the
island to locate Cypraea mauritiana. How amazing to
shine your torch under a slab of old coral, on the low tide
water line and see these creatures often hanging upside
down like limpets attached to the underside of the flat
coral slabs.

Friday 16**’: Sally and 1 climbed the lighthouse tower to
view the island from a different perspective. The little

mm

34

island lay below, the crystal clear blue water stretched in
every direction as far as the eye could see and our little
ship the only form of human existence in sight. The
Noddy Terns and the Sooty Terns wheeled and
screeched around us while the chicks on the ground
called to the adults. We had a final snorkel and with the
help of Jason our boatman we spotted many Lam bis
chiagra and truncata in about eight metres of water. We
pointed them out and young Jason free-dived down and
retrieved them. On the far side of the island plastic
rubbish in the form of bottles, jandals, pegs and a
variety of odd flotsam and jetsam lay above the high
tide line. Chris provided rubbish bags and I spent the
afternoon filling 3 of them. Jason and Sally helped get
these back to the Eastern Voyager. In the evening the
divers had a final dive under the boat collecting a small
number of shells including a Conus floccatus. We all
wanted to spend more time here at East Diamond but by
8.50pm it was time to weigh anchor and head south
across the Coral Sea towards Swain Reefs.

_ r'

Saturday IS*** and Sunday These days were bright
and sunny, with little wind and no swell providing
remarkably comfortable travel in the open sea.

Monday 19**’: At 5.02am we dropped anchor in Perfect
Lagoon. Dredging and fishing parties set out soon after.
Two specimens of Cymbiola (Cymbiolacca) peristricta
were dredged and a number of specimens of Amoria
maculata, Murex queenslandicus, Malea pomum and
Oliva miniacea. The divers dived under the boat and
obtained a few Murex queenslandicus. Once again both
dredging and diving produced less than we had
anticipated.

Tuesday 20***: With another low tide, expeditions set out
for a small rubble cay and obtained typical reef shells
with some good finds. Snorkelling conditions were
perfect. It was possible to swim on the surface and
stretch down to turn over coral slabs revealing a variety
of cones. I picked up two Conus crocatus and had
happily given the smaller one away before I was told that
they were an extremely rare find in Australia! Conus
aureus, episcopalis, magnificus and a lovely dark tulipa
were all found. The rubble bank which forms during
hurricanes is starting to be colonised by Murex
penchinati. Colourful red and black striped sea urchins
were also found on the rubble bank. One large dead and
three smaller Melo amphora were also located. John
Patchett was thrilled with his Cypraea cicercula found
while diving.

35

Wednesday 21**: At 5.20am we left Perfect Lagoon and
sailed south through the Capricorn Channel towards
Gladstone.

Thursday 22"**: At 3.50am we were back at the new
pontoon in Gladstone. After an amazing twelve days on
board the Eastern Voyager our ship mates said their final
farewells. Although we didn’t locate Cymbiolacca volutes
as we had anticipated both on East Diamond Islet and in
Perfect Lagoon everyone was happy with their finds and
their experiences on East Diamond Island.

A big thank you to all those who helped make it such a
successful trip.

In the Queensland Radula Nov/201 1, an account noted
that the population of peristicta volutes at Perfect Lagoon
in the Sept/20 1 1 trip was very much less than on a
previous visit in Oct/2008. It was suggested that this was
due in large part to tropical cyclone Hamish that had
passed over the Lagoon early in 2009. On our present trip
with only two peristicta found their population is barely
recovering. Likewise the perplicata volute population on
East Diamond Island was very small compared with
reports of expeditions there in the 1990’s and early years
of this century. The very severe Cyclone Yasi passed
directly over East Diamond Island in Feb/201 1. It is likely
the population depletion is related to the hurricane
damage. Cymbiolacca live in shallow sand. They
reproduce relatively slowly, and the young hatch crawling
directly from the egg, with no free-swimming veliger
stage. So if a severe hurricane depletes a local population,
there are no replacement individuals entering the area
from outside. On East Diamond Island, it appears that
some species such as Lambis truncata, Lambis chiragra
and Oliva minacea had recovering populations, but there
was an absence of some species other than volutes
formerly well known from the locality such as Strombus
vomer and the white form of Harpa fnajor. Areas that
were dredged, where we thought we would locate these
species, were actually barren of any live shells. Both at
Perfect Lagoon and East Diamond Island there was
evidence of massive damage to coral.

References and thanks to Trevor Appleton for his article
'‘"Collecting Trip to East Diamond Islet in the Coral Sea
Nov/2012" Radula (Brisbane Shell Club Newsletter) and
to Lorraine Rutherford for her article "Our last Trip to the
Coral Sea" in Keppel Bay Tidings Nov/2012.

36

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