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ANABATHRIDAE |
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Anabathron contabulatum (Frauenfeld, 1867) Description: Shell minute, solid, spire convex in outline. Protoconch paucispiral, rounded, with spiral rows of minute pits, with strong varix forming distinct junction with teleoconch. Teleoconch whorls strongly angled, with smooth, polished keel at angle and another at base of last whorl; lower keel sometimes visible above suture on spire whorls; whorls concave above angle, nearly straight below; axial sculpture restricted to growth lines. Aperture ovate, with no anterior or posterior channels. Inner lip of aperture slightly separated from previous whorl by narrow groove. Outer lip thickened but smooth internally. Umbilicus closed. Colour brownish-red, pink, fawn or white. Size: Up to 1.3 mm in length. Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Noosa Heads, Queensland, southwards to eastern Victoria and Tasmania. Moderately common. Habitat: Empty shells are moderately common in beach washup and uncommon down to 91 m. Living specimens are known from algae and rock washings, from low intertidal down to at least 21 m. Comparison: This distinctive species differs from A. lene by having much more sharply angled whorls, and by lacking a spiral cord at the suture. This is more common than A. lene in NSW. Synonymy: None. Remarks: The Australian Museum collection holds many lots of this species from NSW, some from Victoria, two from Tasmania and none from South Australia. The report of the species in South Australia (Cotton, 1959) seems to be incorrect, probably due to confusion with A. lene. Fig. 1: Ulladulla, NSW (C.351466) |
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