Black Nerites
Scientific name: Nerita atramentosa
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Black Nerite, Nerita atramentosa
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Nerita
- Species
- atramentosa
- Subfamily
- Neritinae
- Family
- Neritidae
- Super Family
- Neritoidea
- Order
- Cycloneritida
- Subclass
- Neritimorpha
- Class
- Gastropoda
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 2.8 cm
Black Nerite, Nerita atramentosa rock platform, Narrabeen
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
This species is hard to miss when visiting the rocky shores of Sydney.
Identification
Black Nerites have a thick black shell and white underside. Their strong shell allows them to withstand large waves.
Habitat
The Black Nerite lives on intertidal rocky shores.
Distribution
The Black Nerite is found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Breeding behaviours
Black Nerites form dense clusters in moist areas. Being close together traps moisture between them and also enables sperm transfer.
Feeding trails of Black Nerites, Nerita atramentosa
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
