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Joculator minor Laseron, 1951

Description (based on syntypes): Shell small for the family, spire strongly convex, last whorl constricted, greatest width at penultimate whorl. Protoconch unknown (broken on all syntypes). Teleoconch of up to 4½ nearly straight sided whorls with impressed suture; whorls with 3 spiral cords crossed by weaker axial ribs, forming strong nodules at intersections. Last whorl with undulating, unbeaded cord level with top of aperture; base weakly concave with a weaker broad, low spiral cord. Outer lip of aperture expanded, thin; inner lip heavily calloused. Anterior canal a deep U-shaped notch. Colour mid-brown.

Size: Up to 2.1 mm in length.

Distribution: Syntypes from Carss Park, Kogarah Bay, Sydney, NSW, from dredge spoil. No other specimens available.

Habitat: Habitat and abundance unknown.

Comparison: This is close to Joculator gracilis but is much smaller. The figured specimen is 4½ whorls while the figured specimen of J. gracilis is 6 whorls, and one might consider this to be a smaller specimen of J. gracilis. But the spire is more strongly convex, so I follow Laseron and leave it as a separate species.

Fig. 1: Carss Park, Kogarah Bay, Sydney, NSW from dredge spoil. (C.102708 SYNTYPE)

 

Copyright Des Beechey 2016