Javier Couper (Predomalpha), New Zealand
Info
Haliotis australis is found in shallow subtidal reefs, but mostly in cracks and crevices and at the top of reefs with high relief between the holdfasts of large brown macroalgae, where it feeds mainly on soft red algae (80 %), the rest of its diet consists of brown algae.
Hymenocladia lanceolata is the most frequently consumed flat red algae, Lessonia is the most important brown algae species.
The coloration is light yellowish-brown to black, red or light green at the tip with a red "flame", its surface has spiral threads and regular, dense, radial folds.
Like the outside, the inside is corrugated, silvery-pink with blue, green and red spots, with the latter predominant.
The wavy exterior is fairly constant and characteristic.
Young specimens are more spirally ribbed and often have radial red stripes on a pale green background.
The foot and tentacles of the silver abalone are yellow.
The abalone is a highly sought-after seafood for humans!
Occurrence: North, South, Stewart, Chatham, Snares and Auckland Islands.
Synonyms:
Haliotis aleata Röding, 1798
Haliotis costata Swainson, 1822
Haliotis rugosoplicata Schumacher, 1817
Hymenocladia lanceolata is the most frequently consumed flat red algae, Lessonia is the most important brown algae species.
The coloration is light yellowish-brown to black, red or light green at the tip with a red "flame", its surface has spiral threads and regular, dense, radial folds.
Like the outside, the inside is corrugated, silvery-pink with blue, green and red spots, with the latter predominant.
The wavy exterior is fairly constant and characteristic.
Young specimens are more spirally ribbed and often have radial red stripes on a pale green background.
The foot and tentacles of the silver abalone are yellow.
The abalone is a highly sought-after seafood for humans!
Occurrence: North, South, Stewart, Chatham, Snares and Auckland Islands.
Synonyms:
Haliotis aleata Röding, 1798
Haliotis costata Swainson, 1822
Haliotis rugosoplicata Schumacher, 1817
