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TRIPHORIDAE |
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Metaxia protolineata (Laseron, 1951) Description: Shell relatively small, dextral, very slender. Protoconch lecithotrophic, of 2½-3 whorls; first 1½ whorls with about 6-8 straight or wavy spiral threads; subsequent whorls with axial riblets on upper half of whorls. Teleoconch whorls moderately convex, with smooth spiral cords and axial costae, intersections weakly nodular. Five spirals on each whorl; spiral 1 weakest, spirals 2-5 strong and similar. Axial costae low and rounded, 16 or 17 on penultimate whorl. Base without spiral cords. Outer lip thin and simple. Anterior canal a simple, wide notch. Colour uniform yellowish brown, fading to white. Size: Up to 4.5 mm in length. Distribution: Endemic to Australia. In NSW, known only from Manly Beach (Holotype) and east of Cape Byron, in 203 m. In SA, from off Cape Wiles and off Cape Borda. Habitat: Known from beach washup and dredgings from 100-200 m. Rare. Figs. 1, 2: 40 miles south of Cape Wiles, SA in 183 m (C.123436) |
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