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Additional Photos
underside
on Zoanthus sansibaricus
with eggs
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Heliacus areola (Gmelin,
1791)
Maximum size:
15 mm shell diameter (Severns, 2000).
Identification:
The
shells of this species are more strongly inflated
than those of most architectonicids. There are four
beaded cords per whorl and a relatively narrow
umbilicus. It has a terraced operculum.
Natural history:
Shells
of Heliacus
areola are moderately rare in beach drift.
Live animals are occasionally found in shallow rocky
habitats in association with zoanthids. It lays a white egg mass.
Distribution:
Maui
and Oahu: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific.
Taxonomic notes:
This species is listed in Kay, 1979, Quirk & Wolfe, 1974, Severns, 2000 and Tinker, 1958 as Heliacus variegatus
(Gmelin, 1791). It's listed in Morris, 1974 as Torinia variegata. It's also illustrated in Severns
(2011) on page 398 (mislabeled as Architectonica
perspectiva).
Photo:
CP: near McGregor Point, Maui; Oct. 4, 2003(?).
Observations and
comments:
Note 1:
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