Distribution ofDivaricella huttoniana(mollusca: Bivalvia: Lucinidae) in the New Zealand region

Abstract

The distribution of samples containing the lucinid Divaricella (Divalucina) huttoniana (Vanatta) from the continental shelf of the North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands (New Zealand) in the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute collection is discussed in relation to published records and museum collections. The paucity of living specimens and large shells in shelf samples contrasts with beach collections, and is partly related to sampling problems close inshore off sandy beaches. Southern distributional limits are probably related to winter temperatures on the sea floor.