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Alvania (Alvania) fasciata (Tension-Woods, 1876)

Description: Shell moderately tall, spire weakly convex. Protoconch of 1-1¼ whorls, smooth, junction with teleoconch distinct. Teleoconch up to 3½ convex whorls. Axial sculpture of strong ribs, 13-16 on last whorl, extending below periphery. Spiral sculpture of cords almost as strong as axials, forming beads at intersections; 2-3 spirals on spire whorls, 5-8 on last whorl. Aperture ovate with well-defined posterior canal; smooth internally, outer lip expanded and thickened with varix externally. Shell usually colourless translucent, becoming opaque white with age.

Size: Up to 2.3 mm in length.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Solitary Islands (near Coffs Harbour), NSW, southwards to Tasmania and South Australia.

Habitat: Known from beach washup and down to 150 m. Moderately common.

Comparison: Compared with the other two species of the subgenus, this is more elongate and has prominent beaded sculpture. It is rather like A. (Linemara) filocincta, but that is larger.

Synonymy: Synonyms are Rissoa (Alvania) hullii Tate, 1893; Rissoa hulliana var. eucraspeda Hedley, 1911; Merelina eminens Laseron, 1950. It has been referred to in Australian literature as Merelina hulliana (Tate, 1893).

Fig. 1: Little Coogee Bay, Sydney, NSW (C.348040)

 

Copyright Des Beechey 2010