Large brown screw shell with a pointed tip. It was introduced from NZ to Tasmania about 80 years ago with live shipments of oysters and now occurs in massive aggregations. The species now poses a threat to local species, because living and dead shells have carpeted the seabed in places such the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, greatly altering the habitat. The numbers of the native screw shell Gazameda gunnii seem to decline following the arrival of Maoricolpus roseus in an area. Gazameda gunnii is smaller, with a more mottled appearance, and has fine beads forming ridges around the shell
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What habitats does Maoricolpus roseus live in?
Lives on fine silts, muds, and sandy, gravelly or shelly substrates from the low intertidal down to about 200 m
What is the distribution of Maoricolpus roseus?
In Australia from SA to NSW including Tasmania this species is introduced and is native to New Zealand
How big does Maoricolpus roseus grow?
Can grow up to around 90mm
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