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Maorirhynchia nuggetensis, from Kaihikuan strata at Punawai Quarry, showing the ventral valve (above) and the dorsal valve, below.
Maorirhynchia nuggetensis from Punawai Quarry: original and plaster cast (LPC5_61).
A third specimen (right) has also been obtained, and creates some degree of mystery. Its exact provenance is uncertain, but it was thought to be from Highfield Farm. This specimen has been examined by Dr Macfarlan, and attributed to M. Taringaturana. This would suggest an Otamitan age.
Description of Maorirhynchia (Macfarlan 1992): Moderate to large size; rounded-triangular to subcircular or elliptical outline, valves slightly to moderately and about equally inflated. Anterior of shell may be very strongly folded. Costae low, rounded or absent. Beak small, with very small foramen. Septalial plates usually absent, posterior part of both valves may be greatly thickened. |
Maorirhynchia sp.
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