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Alaginella gatliffi (May, 1911)

Diagnosis: Shell small, transparent colourless to opaque white, strongly narrowed anteriorly; spire medium in height; aperture moderately wide; lip moderately thickened internally, varying from smooth to coarsely lirate, slightly flared posteriorly; external varix present; posterior notch weak; columella with moderate strength but thin plaits occupying slightly more than half the aperture.

Size: Adults 3 – 4 mm in length

Distribution: Australian Museum Collection: off Swain Reefs, central Queensland , to Tasmania , below about 70 metres.  Common.

Comparison: See A. ochracea.

Synonymy: Marginella laeviplicata Laseron, 1948  is a synonym of this species (NEW SYNONYM).

Remarks: This is a deep water species, not found as beach specimens.

Fig. 1: Paratype. Three miles east of Schouten Island, Tasmania, in 40 fathoms (73 m) (C.031617)

Fig. 2: Syntype of Marginella laeviplicata Laseron, 1948; 30-35 fathoms (55-64 m) off Crookhaven, NSW (C.103362)