Story: Marine animals without backbones

White lamp shells

White lamp shells

Lamp shells derive their common name from their resemblance to ancient Roman lamps. Most lamp shells attach themselves to the sea floor with a little stalk that resembles a wick. Pictured here, encrusted in sea anemones and seaweed, are some feeding white lamp shells, Liothyrella neozelanica.

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How to cite this page:

Dennis Gordon and Maggy Wassilieff, 'Marine animals without backbones - Lace corals and lamp shells', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5864/white-lamp-shells (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Dennis Gordon and Maggy Wassilieff, published 12 Jun 2006