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Tylospira scutulata (Gmelin, 1791) Description: Shell solid and heavy, with external glaze. First adult whorls rounded, with spiral ribs; next whorls angled centrally with nodules on periphery. Major sculptural discontinuity before last 2 whorls; nodules cease, whorls become smooth, glossy and covered with callus. Last whorl roundly shouldered, with sinuous growth lines, no spiral sculpture. Aperture broad; columella heavily calloused, smooth; outer lip smooth internally and externally, protruding at lower third; anterior canal broad and shallow. Colour cream or fawn with tan lines following shape of outer lip and broad, tan spiral bands; two narrow spiral tan lines centrally on last whorl. Columella and aperture white. Operculum corneous. Size: Up to 63 mm in length. Distribution: Endemic to Australia; Burleigh Heads, Queensland, southwards to Twofold Bay, NSW. Habitat: Lives in sand, at depth of 5-90 meters; occasionally found in beach washup. Common to abundant in appropriate habitat. Ashley Miskelly gave the following habitat information: "I have found Tylospira scutulata live in abundance in Botany Bay, Sydney, approximately 20 m out from the shoreline and about 15 m deep. I have found juveniles living with adult specimens. They live in medium grained, slightly dirty grey sand, buried about 60 mm deep, perhaps less. They tend to prefer calm environments such as bays where there is little current. Live specimens are darker brown than the old dead shells that occasionally get cast ashore after rough weather". Figs. 1,2: 4073-1, 4074-1 Botany Bay, NSW. Protoconch missing. (DLB4241) |
