Cystiscus alternans

Cystiscus alternans (Pritchard & Gatliff, 1898)

Diagnosis: Shell minute, colourless transparent to opaque white; spire concealed by outer lip callus; outer lip thickened internally, smooth; external varix absent; siphonal notch absent; posterior notch absent; lacking collabral parietal callus ridge; columella multiplicate, with four strong plaits and four weak lirae above.

Size: 1-2 mm in length

Distribution: Australian Museum collection: 3 lots only - Manly Beach; Malacoota; east of King Is. in 46 m. Literature: NSW, Victoria , Tasmania , SA. Uncommon.

Comparison: Resembles G. nympha in size and shape, but that species has a strong external varix and the outer lip is dentate internally.

Synonymy: A synonym is Marginella multiplicata Tate & May, 1900 (Hewish in Wilson, 1994).

Remarks: The record of this species in NSW is based on one worn specimen from Manly Beach , and one literature record (Laseron, 1948, p. 47). Further specimens are required to confirm its presence in NSW. The illustrated specimen is from .

Fig. 1: East of King Is., Bass Strait , in 46 m (C.305335)

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