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ARCHITECTONICIDAE


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Architectonica perspectiva (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Shell large for family. Teleoconch whorls with nodular spiral cords at top and bottom, nodules becoming weaker with growth; cords white or alternating white and brown. Zone between spiral cords coloured grey or fawn with brown band at top, zone sculptured with oblique grooves; last whorl with additional cord at periphery. Base flat with another spiral cord inside peripheral cord. Umbilicus wide, margin strongly nodulose, surrounded by nodular spiral cord on base.

Size: Largest specimen seen 61 mm diameter.

Distribution: Tropical and subtropical Indo-West Pacific. In eastern Australia, as far south as Trial Bay, NSW.

Habitat: Subtidal, mainly in the range 10–20 m, with live specimens 10–65 m (Bieler 1993). Common.

Comparison: See A. grandiosa.

Synonymy: Architectonica perspectiva fressa Iredale, 1936 is a previously recognised synonym

Remarks: There is some colour variation over the range of this species. Particularly, the brown band near the top of the whorls may be solid or dashed.

Figs. 1–4: Off Trial Bay, NSW (C.367859).

 

Copyright Des Beechey 2016