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Vexitomina torquata Laseron 1954

Description: Shell elongate, whorls shouldered, concave above periphery, straight or slightly concave below. Axial sculpture of solid vertical ribs from shoulder to lower suture, 12 or 13 on penultimate whorl. Spiral sculpture of 2 or 3 spiral cords on periphery of each whorl, creating spirally elongate nodules when crossing axial ribs; finer threads covering remainder of whorl, finer above periphery than below, but sometimes obsolete above periphery. Body whorl with about 4 spiral rows of nodules. Columella smooth; outer lip thin, with U shaped sinus above periphery; callus pad under overhand of outer lip, between sinus and suture. Colour fawn, with irregular dark brown patches between axial ribs below suture.

Size: Up to about 16 mm in length.

Distribution: Endemic to Australia; Newcastle to Twofold Bay, NSW.

Habitat: Taken in 70-100 m. Moderately common.

Comparison: See Vexitomina coxi.

Synonymy: Vexitomina pilazona Laseron, 1954 (NEW SYNONYM) is based on a specimen of this species with the spiral cords on the periphery weaker than usual (Fig. 4).

Fig. 1: 2 km east of Long Bay, NSW, in 66 m (C.371479)

Fig. 2:  HOLOTYPE Off Sydney, NSW, in 55-64 m (C.103505)

Fig. 3:  Sinus and callus pad development (C.unregistered).

Fig. 4:  HOLOTYPE of Vexitomina pilazona Laseron, 1954. Twofold Bay, NSW, 18-27 m (C.103507) 

 
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Copyright Des Beechey 2004