May Macro Mayhem - Paua Shell

Paua is the Maori name given to three species of large edible sea snails.
New Zealand's best known paua species is Haliotis Iris which is the most common species, growing up to 18 cm in width. In Australia and America, they are known as abalone.

The polished interior of the shell is iconic in NZ for jewelry and for the tourist industry as souvenirs. Maori consider it a taonga or treasure, valuing it as a source of food and a valuable resource for traditional and contemporary art.

I have included a paua shell as an extra for those who are not familiar with this beautiful shell.