Semiplicate Abalone
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliotis semiplicata |
| Common Name | Semiplicate Abalone |
| Distribution | Endemic to the temperate and subtropical waters of Western Australia. |
| Habitat | Coastal rocky reefs, living as a highly cryptic species that shelters deep underneath large rocks and boulders. |
| Depth Range | 5 to 20 metres (most commonly encountered by divers between 6 and 15 metres). |
| Average Size | 3 to 4.5 centimetres. |
| Maximum Size | 6 centimetres. |
| Commercial Status | Non-commercial. |
| Key Characteristics | This small, oval species is physically defined by a moderately flattened shell with distinctive, partially developed folds or ripples on the upper surface. The exterior typically displays a mottled greenish-brown or dull red colouration, blending perfectly into algae-covered rocks. The shell margin features a series of 4 to 5 open respiratory pores that are slightly elevated above the surface. |
About Semiplicate Abalone
The Semiplicate Abalone (Haliotis semiplicata) is an uncommon, small gastropod mollusc restricted entirely to the wild coastal reefs of Western Australia. Due to its diminutive dimensions and secretive nature, this nocturnal grazer is totally overlooked by industrial seafood networks. It plays a subtle ecological role scraping microalgae from subtidal boulder fields under the cover of darkness. Empty shells are highly valued within specialised malacological circles because of their distinctively rippled, fold-like surface topography and lovely interior pearlescent lining.