Coelotrochus chathamensis
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from SeaLifeBase, occurrence map from GBIF, description from Wikipedia.
Last updated
Distribution map plotted from GBIF.org occurrence records; basemap Natural Earth 110m · GBIF records CC0 / CC BY; Natural Earth public domain
Coelotrochus chathamensis is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Trochidae, the top snails or top shells.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumMollusca
- ClassGastropoda
- SubclassVetigastropoda
- OrderTrochida
- FamilyTrochidae
- GenusCoelotrochus
- SpeciesCoelotrochus chathamensis
Named by (Hutton, 1873)
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Coelotrochus chathamensis (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 598199 (CC BY 4.0)
Where the coelotrochus chathamensis has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (333 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 13 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick Facts
- Authority
- (F. W. Hutton, 1873)
- Family
- Trochidae
- Order
- Trochida
- Habitat zone
- benthic
- Gbif occurrence records
- 333
Facts from the source article.
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Mollusca · Class: Gastropoda · Order: Trochida · Family: Trochidae · Genus: Coelotrochus.
Accepted name: Coelotrochus chathamensis · Authority: (F. W. Hutton, 1873) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 598199.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Calliostoma aucklandicum E. A. Smith, 1902; Polydonta chathamensis F. W. Hutton, 1873; Thoristella chathamensis (F. W. Hutton, 1873); Thoristella chathamensis benthicola H. J. Finlay, 1926; Thoristella chathamensis cookiana A. W. B. Powell, 1934; Trochus (Infundibulum) oppressus var. dunedinensis Suter, 1897; Trochus oppressus var. dunedinensis Suter, 1907.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=598199 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)
Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Coelotrochus chathamensis. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Habitat zone: benthic · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.
SeaLifeBase notes: Found under stones at low tide (Ref. 89452).
Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 153042) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Coelotrochus-chathamensis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
333 georeferenced occurrence records for Coelotrochus chathamensis are published through GBIF from 1 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 38 distinct locations from a sample of 333 records, omitting 13 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: New Zealand (333).
Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 6787780) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=6787780&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=598199 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
The length of the shell varies between eight mm and 10 mm. The small shell has a conical shape, the sides are straight or slightly convex. The angle of the spire is 70°.
The five, rarely six, whorls are flat with an elevated upper edge, and, together with the base, spirally striated. The pointed protoconch is regularly conical, and consists of about two whorls. These are not marked off from the succeeding whorl. This one is, smooth, with two or three spiral red bands.
The last two whorls increase rapidly in size. They are flat to slightly convex above, concave below before reaching the strong and prominent cingulum. The body whorl has a distinct peripheric keel.
The sculpture consists of five to six low spiral threads, the lower and upper margins much elevated, especially the former. They are crossed by broad nodulous radiate ribs, which, however, do not extend over the lower half of the whorl. These ribs are often obsolete. The suture is superficial, with a nodulous border below.
The false umbilicus is narrow and not very deep. The oblique aperture is rhomboidal. The outer and basal lip are a little convex, forming a sharp angle where they meet.
The oblique columella is slightly concave. It has an almost imperceptible posterior fold, but the anterior portion is nearly smooth.
The axial cavity is small and smooth. The color of the shell is white, buff with pink or oblique brownish purple stripes or spots. The flat base of the shell is white with interrupted pink, subequal spiral lines.
Coelotrochus chathamensis is endemic to New Zealand and occurs the Chatham Islands, Southern North Island, Stewart Islands and the Auckland Islands.
Source: Wikipedia: Coelotrochus chathamensis — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coelotrochus_chathamensis (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Coelotrochus chathamensis (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Biology values: SeaLifeBase species summary (CC BY-NC 3.0, non-commercial).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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