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ORBITESTELLIDAE |
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Orbitestella decorata Laseron, 1954 Description: Shell minute, spire flat or slightly sunken. Protoconch of about 1¼ whorls with irregular radial lines and spiral threads, first ½ whorl sloping downwards. Dorsal surface of teleoconch whorls with a strongly nodulose, broad spiral cord on inside of spiral, surrounded on the outside by a shallow groove before the strongly nodulose upper peripheral cord. Periphery with a deep groove between upper and lower peripheral cords. Base with widely open umbilicus, surrounded by a broad spiral cord as on dorsal surface. Shell transparent becoming opaque white with age. Size: Up to 0.8 mm in diameter. Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Port Stephens, NSW, southwards to Malacoota, Vic. Habitat: Specimens are from rock and algal washings from the intertidal down to 18 m, and from beach washup. Uncommon. Comparison: See O. bastowi. Remarks: The shell and anatomy of this species were described in detail by Ponder (1990). Figs. 1–3: Jervis Bay, NSW (C.355528). |
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