Blackfoot Pāua [Haliotis iris]
Description
Also known as the rainbow abalone, the Blackfoot Pāua is a large limpet native to New Zealand. It is characterized by its oval, ear-shaped shell that is a deep black on the outside and displays a rainbow of colors on the inside due to the nacreous layer. It is a key species in New Zealand's commercial and recreational fisheries. The Blackfoot Pāua is found in rocky subtidal habitats and feeds on macroalgae.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Gastropods
Gastropoda
|
| Order |
Patellogastropoda
Patellogastropoda
|
| Family |
Giant limpets
Lepetidae
|
| Genus |
Mirror Limpets
Cocculina
|