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Munditia tasmanica (Tenison-Woods, 1876)

Description: Shell moderately solid and heavy, height less than width, spire very low or flat, whorls angled at shoulder and base. Last whorl with six to nine spiral ribs; two or three ribs on shoulder, two or three strong ribs on periphery, one weak rib on outside of base, one large, beaded rib bordering umbilicus, one beaded rib within umbilicus; ribs on periphery with open-fronted spines, the uppermost strongest. Whole surface covered with dense axial lamellae. Aperture circular, surrounded by greatly thickened varix. Umbilicus deep, wide, with axial lamellae on the whorls within. Colour uniformly white or fawn.

Size: Up to 8 mm in width.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia; off Jervis Bay, NSW, to south-western WA.

Habitat: Known from beach shells, and down to 274 m. Uncommon.

Comparison: This species is similar in sculpture to Austroliotia scalaris, but has a flat spire and very wide umbilicus.

Figs. 1,2,3: Off Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania, 80 m. Juvenile specimen, lip varix not formed. (C.357695)

 

Copyright Des Beechey 2004