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Microcarina surgerea Laseron, 1954 Description: Shell minute, almost planar. Protoconch smooth, with distinct junction to teleoconch, elevated above plane of first whorl. Teleoconch up to 1¾ whorls, suture deep; whorls angled at first, flat on top, edged with strong keel; similar keel at periphery and another at middle of base. In mature shells last ¼ whorl rounded, with keels replaced with up to 7 spiral cords. Axial sculpture of irregularly spaced growth lines. Umbilicus wide, sometimes edged by beaded cord. Aperture with peristome complete, polygonal in juvenile shells, circular in mature shells, margin not thickened, without varix. Shell colourless transparent when fresh, becoming opaque white with age. Size: Up to 1.0 mm wide, 0.4 mm high. Distribution: Endemic to Australia. Port Stephens, NSW, southwards to Mallacoota, Victoria. Habitat: Empty shells are from beach washup and down to 40 m. Living specimens are from algae and rock washings from the intertidal down to 20 m. Moderately common. Comparison: This is similar in size and shape to Liotella species, but the whorls are sharply angled and there is no axial sculpture. Synonymy: None Figs. 1,2,3: Balmoral, Sydney, NSW (C.463090) |
