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Conus angasi Tryon, 1883 Description: Shell light to medium in weight, broad, sides straight or slightly concave. Body whorl smooth at top and centre, apart from faint axial growth lines; weak or obsolete spiral ribs at the anterior quarter. Shoulder moderately or sharply angled. Spire flat to low, straight or concave in outline; spire whorls straight or concave, with 2-6 spiral riblets of varying strength. Aperture constant width, outer lip straight. Columella with a plait at anterior end, bordering anterior canal. Background colour white, cream or pink, with spiral bands of square or rectangular brown spots, and usually two continuous light fawn lines or bands, one above and one below midbody. Interior white or pink. Size: Up to 43 mm in length, typically 25-35 mm. Distribution: Endemic to Australia; Tin Can Bay, Queensland, to Twofold Bay, NSW. Habitat: Known from 11-172 metres, and rarely as a beach shell. This previously rare species is now moderately common, with the Australian Museum holding 75 lots. Comparison: The colour pattern of spiral rows of square or rectangular spots distinguishes this species. The plait near the anterior end of the columella is a distinguishing feature, but this is also found in C. wallangra. Synonym: The form with flat spire and straight sides was described as Rhizoconus advertex Garrard, 1961, but the species shows continuous variation from flat to low spire. In the southern part of the range, to about Cape Byron, shells are low spired, but north of that point both flat and low spired specimens both occur. Fig. 1 Off Sydney, NSW, in 30 fathoms (55 m) (DLB2522) Fig. 2 Holotype of Rhizoconus advertex; off Moreton Is., Queensland, in 80 fathoms (146 m) (C.063348) |
